Thousands of African Americans who are waiting for a new kidney can now find new hope.
The flawed nature of a test used to determine placement on a transplant waiting list has been revealed. This finding is set to have a significant impact on individuals who are eagerly awaiting the gift of life through a transplant.
Not long ago, Helena Fields, a special education teacher from the suburbs, was suffering from kidney failure. However, her life took a turn for the better when she received some life-changing news. She was able to move up on the transplant list and eventually underwent a successful kidney transplant.
Fields expressed his excitement by stating, “I was ecstatic.”
Fields had been waiting for a kidney transplant for six years but finally got moved up on the list after changes were made to how African American kidney function was evaluated. Although she was filled with joy, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation.
In my opinion, it is crucial to address the issue of inequalities and strive towards unity as a human race, especially in the realm of healthcare.
Fields expressed his shock at the situation, admitting that while he was grateful that it was being fixed, it was frustrating to realize that such a problem existed.
The eGFR blood test, which is crucial in determining kidney function, used to take race into account when calculating results. This had the effect of artificially boosting the health status of African Americans and pushing them lower on the transplant waitlist. However, a task force consisting of the American Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation has identified this method as being flawed.
The test has eliminated the factor of race, allowing over 14,000 African American patients across the country to be prioritized for a transplant. In Illinois alone, there are currently 1,200 African American patients awaiting a kidney transplant.
As the Senior Director for Outreach at the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, Monica Fox holds a crucial position in the organization.
According to Fox, individuals often question the authenticity of the situation, stating “is this real?” Additionally, a large portion of the population was unaware of its existence.
According to her, the proposal to alter the formula had been put forth two years ago. As healthcare organizations have begun implementing this change, they have been receiving feedback from patients who are pleasantly surprised to find out that they have moved up on the transplant list.
According to Fox, it may seem absurd to believe that it existed for such a long time, but considering the history of our country and all the factors associated with it, it is not unexpected.
As someone who could have been in the same situation, Fields expressed her happiness in seeing more African Americans receiving the necessary kidney transplants. However, she couldn’t help but think about those who lost their lives while waiting for a kidney, which could have been prevented.
Fields emphasized the need to address inequalities and view ourselves as part of one human race, particularly in relation to healthcare. “We must strive to improve the situation,” she said.
