CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The U.S. recently hit a historic milestone... one million organ transplants.
The millionth transplant was confirmed around 1 p.m. Friday but we do not have any details on the patient at this time.
The first successful transplant was performed in 1954 in Boston and we have come a long way, especially in the last few years.
More than 500,000 transplants were performed from 2007 to 2021.
Yet the nation’s transplant system is at a crossroads. More people than ever are getting new organs — a record 41,356 last year alone. At the same time, critics blast the system for policies and outright mistakes that waste organs and cost lives.
The anger boiled over last month in a Senate committee hearing where lawmakers blamed the United Network for Organ Sharing, a nonprofit that holds a government contract to run the transplant system, for cumbersome organ-tracking and poor oversight.
Dr. Gregg Silverman joined First Edition to talk more about organ transplants and some common misconceptions about being a donor. You can watch the interview in full in the above video player.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Corpus Christi resident was on vacation in London when news broke of Queen Elizabeth II's death
- Corpus Christi activist gives her account of meeting Queen Elizabeth II
- Multiple people shot at Burger King on Old Brownsville Rd., officials confirm
- Gov. Abbott scheduled to visit Coastal Bend for 'Faith, Family, Freedom' rally
- Beto O'Rourke coming to Corpus Christi with civil rights leader Dolores Huerta
- 'Bite Night' Football: CCISD Athletic Department prepares for mosquitos before kickoff
Want to send us a news tip?
Put your name and contact information below so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.
If you do not have a photo/video to submit, just click "OK" to skip that prompt.