Kidney Transplant Statistics

There are approximately 52,000 individuals waiting for a kidney transplant in the United States. Kidneys are in the highest demand, comprising nearly two-thirds of the organ transplant waiting list.

In 2001 there were 14,000 transplants performed with approximately 6,000 coming from living donors.

The first kidney transplant was performed in 1954.

Up to 80 percent of people who receive a kidney transplant will be alive after five years. 54 percent will be alive after ten years. Rates improve if the kidney comes from a living relative. Most people who receive a kidney transplant are between the ages of 15 and 50.

Approximately 63 people receive an organ transplant each day – however another 16 people on the waiting list die because there are not enough organs available.