Leader in transplant preservation offering paid leave to employees choosing life-saving living organ donation
WALTHAM, MA. December X, 2024 - Paragonix Technologies, a pioneer in organ transplant technologies and organ procurement services, is proud to announce they have joined the Living Donor Circle of Excellence. This program, an initiative from the American Society of Transplantation (AST), celebrates employers who implement internal policies that provide salary support to their employees who choose to be a living organ donor.
As part of this program, Paragonix offers eligible employees paid leave for living organ donation. This benefit reflects the company’s dedication to removing barriers for those considering this life-saving act, allowing employees to recover without financial stress. By supporting living donors, Paragonix furthers its mission to advance transplant care and foster a culture of compassion and generosity.
“There is no greater act of generosity than the gift of organ donation,” said Lisa Anderson, PhD, President of Paragonix Technologies. “As an industry leader in transplant care, we are intimately aware of the multifaceted impact that living donation places upon donors and their families, and we firmly believe in honoring their altruism. Our initiation into the Living Donor Circle allows us to support any eligible employee who chooses to donate a kidney on behalf of another, mitigating the financial hardships associated with living organ donation by providing additional paid leave of up to 30 days.”
John Gill, MD, Founder of the Living Donor Circle of Excellence, said, “Living donors are heroes amongst us. Their gift is life-saving for patients in need of a kidney or liver transplant and has a huge positive impact on society. Patients facing life-threatening diseases are able to live normal lives, raise their families, and participate in their communities. By supporting living organ donors, we are also building stronger communities.”
Today, more than 100,000 patients are waiting for a life-saving kidney or liver transplant. Of the transplants performed in 2021, living donors accounted for 24% of kidney transplants and 6% of liver transplants. Financial disincentives are a barrier for many potential living organ donors. Living organ donation typically includes a four- to six-week recovery period and many will use their vacation time or take unpaid absences during this period to donate.
The Circle encourages other employers to join Paragonix in supporting those in need of life-saving organ transplants. You can learn more about AST’s Living Donor Circle of Excellence here.
About the American Society of Transplantation
Founded in 1982, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, organ donation, and service to the community. The society is the largest transplant organization in North America (consisting of more than 4,000 professional members) and is recognized as the premier society for transplantation. AST members are sought out as transplant experts and advocates. Other transplant organizations, policy makers, regulatory agencies, payors, academic institutions, and the general public look to the AST for guidance, research, and resources related to transplantation. To learn more, visit: www.myast.org.
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