The California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) is a steadfast supporter of the gift of life made possible through organ and tissue donation. Since 1969, when CPMC performed our first kidney transplant, CPMC has been nationally recognized for its innovation, best practices and excellent outcomes in the field of organ transplantation. Over the past three decades, CPMC has successfully performed more than 7,500 transplants. Through our efforts, countless lives have been saved.
Did You Know?
- Currently, more than 120,000 people across the U.S. are currently awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant;
- Of the 20,000 patients currently on the waiting list in California, nearly 800 reside right here in San Francisco
- Sadly, due to a lack of donors, 20 patients die every day as their time on the national transplant list runs out
As we head into April (National Donate Life Month), this page will serve as a helpful resource for transplantation and donation success stories and key statistics. We invite you to join our lifesaving movement by registering here today. Help us increase the number of organ, eye, and tissue donors by spreading the word to your friends, family and loved ones. Let them know that they, too, can visit our site and register to save and heal lives.
Damon Gault
Damon Gault has a unique perspective on the concept of waiting; “As far as I know, I’m just one of a very small number of people who have been put on the transplant list twice” he said with a touch of irony in his voice, “Not many people get taken off the list without having died. But I did!”
In 1995 Damon’s heart was in dire straits as it had been attacked by a very aggressive virus – his only hope was a transplant. Upon admission to CPMC he was rushed to the top of the list. During his stay at CPMC, his medical team stabilized his condition and he recovered sufficiently to not only be discharged from the hospital – he was also taken off the waiting list and he was able to resume a fairly normal life.
“Fast forward to 2006” Damon says, “I received a defibrillator, which kept me going fairly well, although I certainly wasn’t feeling great. I was able to function and do my work, and so it was that about a year later I was out of town giving a presentation to about 300 people when I collapsed on stage. The prognosis was pretty dire – ‘You’re not going to make it’ I was told. So I flew home and checked back in to CPMC, where I spent the better part of a year and a half in the hospital and back on the transplant waiting list for the second time.”
Then on October 10th of 2010 Damon’s transplant team successfully removed his failing organ and transplanted a new heart from a donor. Since then nothing can stop him; “I’m on the show ‘Borrowed Time’, I’m running my own electrical company and currently writing two screenplays,” Damon proudly proclaims. “I’m also a Donate Life Ambassador and love to inspire others. I especially like to share my story with staff and patients at CPMC – since I was almost dead like 4 times!”
Damon has since made contact with his donor’s brother and is intent on living live to the fullest. He likes to go to Las Vegas each year to the “Show your Scars” transplant recipients’ reunion, and is starting one up in Reno; “Because it’s fun – and we transplant recipients have a unique sense of humor than not many people understand. And because it is an opportunity for everyone to reflect on how incredibly fortunate we are to have received this gift of life.”
High concentration of Azithromycin in infected tissues is also caused by the fact that phagocytes and macrophages transport it to the site of infection and release in the area of inflammation. Azithromycin is prescribed in case of illness or injury at the time.
