Hizer Moncion Phillips 1

Nyah Hizer, Sara Phillips, and Christian Moncion

Ms. Kasyanik
English 4B
5 May 2015
How Long Can You Live With Transplants?

There are many different reasons why people get transplants. The main reasons include
longevity and organ failures. Longevity is the ability to have a long life. Most organ failures
include the heart, kidneys, livers, lungs, and any other organs failing to function properly.
Transplants can be used to replace failed organs and to increase the chances of longevity.

What does it mean to have a longer longevity or longer life? Everybody has different
longevity. Achieving longevity has changed over the years by better techniques and technology
and better ways of taking care of others. Many things could change how long you live. However,
some ways to successfully have a longer life expectancy include using implantable medical
devices, modifying stem cells, and using organ transplants.

Using implantable medical devices is a way to help reach living longer. Using
implantable medical devices could reduce the cost of extra health care cost and help people save
money. The cost of getting health care has risen and will eventually not be affordable to many
people (Medtronic, Inc.). Implantable medical device will help lower the use of more health
care by not having to go to the doctor every time someone might be having a life threatening
moment (Medtronic, Inc.).Another way that implantable medical devices could help reach to

Hizer Moncion Phillips 2

live longer is by helping to extend the lives of different organs in the body. For example,
pacemakers are used to regulate the beat or rhythm of the heart (Medtronic, Inc.). Different
types of implantable medical devices are there for most of the organs and will help them keep
beating just like the heart (Medtronic, Inc.). Overall, implantable medical devices could be a
potentially way to achieving longevity.

Modifying stem cells is also another way that could prolong the life expectancy of many
people. Possibly modifying adult stem cells could lead to the growth of many limbs that have
been punctured. The product of a stem cell undergoing division is at least one additional stem
cell that has the same capabilities of the originating cell( The Adult Stem Cell). By this
prolonging life there could be other scientific discoveries along the way. Adult stem cell arent
able to produce limbs or repair organs and tissues but by modifying them it could lead to longer
lives (The Adult Stem Cell). Another way stems cells could help having longer longevity is
give rise to mature cell types that have different shapes and specific functions. According to The
Adult Stem Cell, Typically, stem cells generate an intermediate cell type or types before they
achieve their fully differentiated state. This could be either progenitor or precursor cells which
are in either the fetal or adult tissues which differentiate into a specific type of cell (The Adult
Stem Cell). Both of the options could aid in living longer.

The usage of organ transplants is another way to live longer. Having multiple transplants
could keep you alive for couple more years. The author says, It seems to me that the time is
more than ripe to treat multiple organ transplant as experimental in a formal sense and to subject

Hizer Moncion Phillips 3

it to scrutiny in regard to its procedures and informed consent process (Murphy). Murphy states,
In the end, it seems necessary to justify multiple organ transplants not only in terms of their
success rate but also in terms of their ethics and social impact, however, this does lead to longer
waiting list. In addition another way transplant could be used is not having to be on dialysis.
The Benefits of Transplants versus Dialysis believe that, Some patients may need to spend
time on dialysis as they wait for a good match from a deceased donor. Which typically means
the longer the wait the longer you will have to be on dialysis. Also, the author believes that
patients on dialysis are more likely to not get a transplant than patient who have not been on
dialysis for awhile (The Benefits of Transplants versus Dialysis). Organ transplants are
successful in many ways to prolonging lives.
There are many different organs that can be transplanted. Kidney and pancreas
transplants as well as heart and lung transplants are the most common. The organs used to
replace failed organs come from other people. In some cases the person is alive and is able to
donate stem cells, but in others the person has recently died and was a registered organ donor
(Baskette et al.). Healthy adults aged 18-60 may donate stem cells, which may be obtained from
the bone marrow or peripheral blood. People with conditions such as Cardiomyopathy, Cirrhosis,
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Coronary heart disease, Cystic fibrosis,
Diabetes, Hepatitis, Hypertension, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Polycystic kidney disease, and
Short gut syndrome require immediate transplants ("Organ Donation). Organ donors cannot
donate to just anyone, a computer program matches donor organs with recipients based on
certain characteristics. These characteristics include blood type, tissue type, height, and weight
("Organ Donation). The length of time the patient has been waiting, the severity of the patient's

Hizer Moncion Phillips 4

illness, and the distance between the donor's and the recipient's hospitals also figure into who is
the best match for a specific organ ("Organ Donation: The Process.).
Other transplants, not always as severe as a heart transplant, include the kidney
transplant. Considering people have two kidneys, they don't necessarily need both, but having
two could allow for waste to be processed faster and their body could work at a faster pace.
When a kidney begins to fail the patient will need to go through dialysis and consider a kidney
transplant. The percentage for people who receive a living-donor transplant that live for at least
one year is 98, for people who live at least 5 years after the percentage is 90. The percentage for
people who adults who receive deceased-donor transplants that live for at least one year after the
transplant is 94, for people who live at least 5 years after the transplant the percentage is 82
(Kidney Transplant). The success rate is higher for people who receive a living-donor kidney
transplant. If the patients transplant fails then the patient would need to resume dialysis or
consider the possibility of a second transplant. They may decide to discontinue treatment, but it
depends on their current health and their ability to withstand surgery (Kidney Transplant). To
prevent rejection, or possible failure, the patient will be prescribed medication to suppress their
immune system. These drugs will likely need to be taken for the rest of the patients life
(Kidney Transplant). After the transplant, skin checkups with a dermatologist will be needed to
screen for skin cancer (Kidney Transplant).
Transplants are used in different ways. The main uses include to achieve longevity and to
replace failed organs. Types of organs that can be transplanted include kidney, pancreas, heart,
and lung (Baskette et al). Longevity can be achieved by receiving transplants that work faster,

Hizer Moncion Phillips 5

and more efficiently than the organs they originally had. Transplants can be used to replace failed
organs and to increase the chances of longevity.

Transplants can change lives in miraculous ways, and they grant the gift of health to sick
or dying people. Its impossible to live a full and healthy life with dysfunctional organs; with
transplants they are now able to live longer. They have increased their life expectancy, and have
been given the ability to live a normal lifestyle. The younger someone is, however, the longer
they are expected to live. It also depends on their race, and condition, as well as the donors
information. Despite these qualifications however, people are still able to live a very long and
happy life.
The Department of Surgery in the University of Florida says, People who are under the
age of 60 generally have a better chance of survival (Foley et al). The long-term outcomes of
315 primary kidney transplants performed at the University of Florida in recipients aged greater
than or equal to 60 years and compare them to results from 3 younger recipient cohorts. Among
recipients less than or equal to 60 years, patient survival was significantly worse than for
younger recipients (Foley et al). This supports the point that age really does matter when
determining the amount of life left after surgery. According to John Hopkins, The researchers
found that patients 55 and younger had a 24 percent greater chance of 10-year survival than older
patients; those treated at hospitals performing nine or more heart transplants a year had a 31
percent greater chance of 10-year survival than those at lower volume centers; and white patients
were 35 percent more likely to survive a decade than minority patients (George et al). Again,
the younger patients were able to survive for a longer time, and Caucasian patients were as well.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 6

The Department of Surgery says that the patients with donors who were older than 60 did not
live as long as patients with donors less than 60 years of age. They also say that African
Americans had a higher risk of mortality (Foley et al). This further supports the idea that younger
patients last longer after the transplants. Its also hypothesized that this is because younger
patients have a stronger tendency for the new organ compared to the older patients. Arman Kilic,
M.D., a surgical resident at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, says that After the age of 55, we see
the biggest difference in long-term survival, he says. The chance of surviving for 10 years
drops precipitously (George et al).
Despite all of these qualifications and requirements that determine how much time is left
on peoples lives, they all still get the opportunity to live longer and fuller lives. Examining data
from the more than 22,000 American adults who got new hearts between 1987 and 1999,
researchers found that roughly half were still alive a decade after being transplanted and further
analysis identified factors that appear to predict at least 10 years of life after the operations
(George et al). All patients lasted at least 10 more years, rather than dying sooner. A great
example of a happy-ending transplant story is that of Howard Mehl, one of the oldest living
kidney transplant survivors. At the age of 21, Howards kidneys had completely shut down. He
was going blind, suffering major headaches and nosebleeds. He was told he had 6 months left to
live (Brothers recall first kidney transplant at Penn). There are lots of people who go through
this throughout the world. With the help of transplants, however, these people can go on to live
their life. With his younger brother facing a lifetime of dialysis or worse death, the then 25year-old Joe never hesitated to offer his organ (Brothers recall first kidney transplant at
Penn). Howards older brother, Joe, as well as his other 5 siblings, all tested to give one of their

Hizer Moncion Phillips 7

kidneys to him. After they all tested, they decided to choose Joe for the procedure. (Brothers
recall first kidney transplant at Penn) The article on Penn Medicine continues, saying Decades
after the procedure, Howard has a successful catering business. He and his wife of more than 30
years raised three boys who might not have been here otherwise (Brothers recall first kidney
transplant at Penn). This story is truly incredible, because Howard was able to go on with his
life, and begin a career, as well as start a new family. Without transplants, this may have never
been possible. He owes his life to the procedure, as well as his older brother.

Outline
Nyahs Outline
What does it mean to have a longer longevity or longer life? Everybody has different
longevity. Achieving longevity has changed over the years by better techniques and technology
and better ways of taking care of others. Many things could change how long you live. However,
some ways to successfully have a longer life expectancy include using implantable medical
devices, modifying stem cells, and using organ transplants.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 8

Using implantable medical devices is a way to help reach living longer. By using
implantable medical devices it could reduce the cost of extra health care cost and help people
save money. The cost of getting health care has risen and will eventually not be affordable to
many people.(Medtronic, Inc.) Implantable medical device will help lower the use of more health
care by not having to go to the doctor every time someone might be having a life threatening
moment. (Medtronic, Inc.)Another way that implantable medical devices could help reach to live
longer is by helping to extend the lives of different organs in the body. For example, pacemakers
are used to regulate the beat or rhythm of the heart.(Medtronic, Inc.) Different types of
implantable medical devices are there for most of the organs and will help them keep beating just
like the heart.(Medtronic, Inc.) Conclusioning, implantable medical devices could be a
potentially way to achieving longevity.

Modifying stem cells is also another way that could longer the life expectancy of many
people. Possibly modifying adult stem cells could lead to the growth of many limbs that have
been punctured. The product of a stem cell undergoing division is at least one additional stem
cell that has the same capabilities of the originating cell,(The Adult Stem Cell). By this
prolonging life there could be other scientific discoveries along the way. Adult stem cell arent
able to produce limbs or repair organs and tissues but by modifying them it could lead to longer
lives (The Adult Stem Cell). Another way stems cells could help having longer longevity is give
rise to mature cell types that have different shapes and specific functions. Typically, stem cells
generate an intermediate cell type or types before they achieve their fully differentiated state,
(The Adult Stem Cell). This could be either progenitor or precursor cells which are in either the

Hizer Moncion Phillips 9

fetal or adult tissues which differentiate into a specific type of cell (The Adult Stem Cell). Both
of the options could aid in living longer.

The usage of organ transplants is another way to live longer. Having multiple transplants
could keep you alive for couple more years. The author says, It seems to me that the time is
more than ripe to treat multiple organ transplant as experimental in a formal sense and to subject
it to scrutiny in regard to its procedures and informed consent process,(Murphy). In the end, it
seems necessary to justify multiple organ transplants not only in terms of their success rate but
also in terms of their ethics and social impact, however, this does lead to longer waiting list
(Murphy). In addition another way transplant could be used is not having to be on dialysis.
Some patients may need to spend time on dialysis as they wait for a good match from a
deceased donor, (The Benefits of Transplants versus Dialysis). Which typically means the
longer the wait the longer you will have to be on dialysis. Also, the author believes that patients
on dialysis are more likely to not get a transplant than patient who have not been on dialysis for a
while (The Benefits of Transplants versus Dialysis). Organ transplants are successful in many
ways to prolonging lives.
Saras Outline:
There are many different reasons why people get transplants. The main reasons include
longevity and organ failures. Longevity is the ability to have a long life. Most organ failures
include the heart, kidneys, livers, lungs, and any other organs failing to function properly.
Transplants can be used to replace failed organs and to increase the chances of longevity.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 10

There are many different organs that can be transplanted. Kidney and pancreas
transplants as well as heart and lung transplants are the most common. The organs used to
replace failed organs come from other people. In some cases the person is alive and is able to
donate stem cells, but in others the person has recently died and was a registered organ donor
(Baskette et al.). Healthy adults aged 18-60 may donate stem cells, which may be obtained from
the bone marrow or peripheral blood. People with conditions such as Cardiomyopathy, Cirrhosis,
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Coronary heart disease, Cystic fibrosis,
Diabetes, Hepatitis, Hypertension, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Polycystic kidney disease, and
Short gut syndrome require immediate transplants ("Organ Donation). Organ donors cannot
donate to just anyone, a computer program matches donor organs with recipients based on
certain characteristics. These characteristics include blood type, tissue type, height, and weight
("Organ Donation). The length of time the patient has been waiting, the severity of the patient's
illness, and the distance between the donor's and the recipient's hospitals also figure into who is
the best match for a specific organ ("Organ Donation: The Process.).
Other transplants, not always as severe as a heart transplant, include the kidney
transplant. Considering people have two kidneys, they don't necessarily need both, but having
two could allow for waste to be processed faster and their body could work at a faster pace.
When a kidney begins to fail the patient will need to go through dialysis and consider a kidney
transplant. The percentage for people who receive a living-donor transplant that live for at least
one year is 98, for people who live at least 5 years after the percentage is 90. The percentage for
people who adults who receive deceased-donor transplants that live for at least one year after the
transplant is 94, for people who live at least 5 years after the transplant the percentage is 82

Hizer Moncion Phillips 11

(Kidney Transplant). The success rate is higher for people who receive a living-donor kidney
transplant. If the patients transplant fails then the patient would need to resume dialysis or
consider the possibility of a second transplant. They may decide to discontinue treatment, but it
depends on their current health and their ability to withstand surgery (Kidney Transplant). To
prevent rejection, or possible failure, the patient will be prescribed medication to suppress their
immune system. These drugs will likely need to be taken for the rest of the patients life
(Kidney Transplant). After the transplant, skin checkups with a dermatologist will be needed to
screen for skin cancer (Kidney Transplant).
Transplants are used in different ways. The main uses include to achieve longevity and to
replace failed organs. Types of organs that can be transplanted include kidney, pancreas, heart,
and lung (Baskette et al). Longevity can be achieved by receiving transplants that work faster,
and more efficiently than the organs they originally had. Transplants can be used to replace failed
organs and to increase the chances of longevity.
INTRO:
Transplants can change lives in miraculous ways, and they grant the gift of health to sick or
dying people. Its impossible to live a full and healthy life with dysfunctional organs, so these
transplants have affected great amounts of people. They have increased their life expectancy, and
have been given the ability to live a normal lifestyle. For younger people, their life span is
expected to grow 10+ years.
Christians Outline:
SUB-POINT 1: Your survival rate depends on your race, age, etc., as well as the donors.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 12

EVIDENCE 1: the long-term outcomes of 315 primary kidney transplants performed at the
University of Florida in recipients aged greater than or equal to 60 years and compare them to
results from 3 younger recipient cohorts. Among recipients less than or equal to 60 years, patient
survival was significantly worse than for younger recipients.
MLA: "Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of
Medicine. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17424728>.

EVIDENCE 2: recipients aged > or = 60 years who received kidneys from donors > or = 60
years demonstrated significantly worse outcomes when compared to those receiving donor
kidneys < 60 years.
Among recipients aged > or = 60 years, patient survival at 10 years was 55% for living-donor
kidney recipients and 46% for deceased-donor kidney recipients. African-American recipients
had a higher risk of mortality and graft loss in all age groups.
MLA: Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of
Medicine. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17424728>.

SUBPOINT 2: (And Transition) Despite all of the requirements in order to live a longer life,
you still get to live a longer and fuller life!
EVIDENCE 1: Examining data from the more than 22,000 American adults who got new hearts
between 1987 and 1999, researchers found that roughly half were still alive a decade after being
transplanted and further analysis identified factors that appear to predict at least 10 years of life
after the operations.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 13

MLA: "Younger Patients More Likely to Live a Decade or Longer After Heart Transplant 02/27/2012." Younger Patients More Likely to Live a Decade or Longer After Heart Transplant 02/27/2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/younger_patients_more_likely_to_live_a
_decade_or_longer_after_heart_transplant>.

EVIDENCE 2: "When I first found out I was sick they said, 'You have six months to live,'"
Howard said. At the age of 21, Howard's kidneys totally shut down, he was going blind, suffering
major migraines and constant nosebleeds.
With his younger brother facing a lifetime of dialysis or worse death, the then 25-year-old Joe
never hesitated to offer his organ,
Decades after the procedure, Howard has a successful catering business. He and his wife of
more than 30 years raised three boys who might not have been here otherwise.
MLA: "Kidney Transplant." Patient Stories. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.pennmedicine.org/transplant/patient-care/transplant-programs/kidneytransplant/patient-stories.html>.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 14

Worked Cited

"Clinical Trials Research; King's College London reveals promising techniques for extending the
life of an organ transplant." Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week. 02 Oct. 2010: 147.
eLibrary Science. Web. 14 Apr 2015.
"Kidney Transplant." Patient Stories. Penn Medicine, 26 Apr. 2007. Web. 05 May 2015.
<http://www.pennmedicine.org/transplant/patient-care/transplant-programs/kidneytransplant/patient-stories.html>.
"Life Science Research; Studies in the Area of Cell Biology Reported from University of
Liverpool (Why genes extending lifespan in model organisms have not been consistently
associated with human longevity." Life Science Weekly. 03 Mar. 2015: 3254. eLibrary
Science. Web. 14 Apr 2015.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 15

"Long-term Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation in Recipients 60 Years of Age and Older at the
University of Florida." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National
Library of Medicine, 2005. Web. 05 May 2015.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17424728>.
"Medtronic, Inc.; Patent Issued for Systems, Apparatus and Methods Facilitating Longevity
Extension for Implantable Medical Devices." Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week. 04 Apr.
2015: 2559. eLibrary Science. Web. 14 Apr 2015.
"Organ Donation: The Process." Organdonor.gov. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.organdonor.gov/about/organdonationprocess.html#process2>
"The Benefits of Transplant versus Dialysis | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The
Benefits of Transplant versus Dialysis | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Web. 23
Apr. 2015. <http://www.bidmc.org/Centers-and-Departments/Departments/TransplantInstitute/Kidney/The-Benefits-of-Transplant-versus-Dialysis.aspx>.
Baskette, Kimberly G., and John M. Ritz. "Organ Harvesting and Transplants. Technology
Teacher 7(2010):5. eLibrary Science. Web. 17 Apr 2015
Desmon, Stephanie. "Younger Patients More Likely to Live a Decade or Longer After Heart
Transplant - 02/27/2012." Younger Patients More Likely to Live a Decade or Longer
After Heart Transplant - 02/27/2012. John Hopkins Medicine, 27 Feb. 2012. Web. 05
May 2015.

Hizer Moncion Phillips 16

<http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/younger_patients_more_likely_to
_live_a_decade_or_longer_after_heart_transplant>.
Murphy, Timothy F. "The ethics of multiple vital organ transplants." Hastings Center Report
2(2002):47. eLibrary Science. Web. 14 Apr 2015.
Pruthi, Sandhya. "Kidney Transplant." Results. Mayo Clinic, 24 Jan. 2015. Web. 05 May 2015.
<http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/kidney-transplant/basics/results/prc20014007>.
The Adult Stem Cell. In Stem Cell Information [World Wide Web site]. Bethesda, MD: National
Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009
<http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/pages/chapter4.aspx>.