TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa General Hospital is marking a milestone as it celebrates 50 years of organ transplants.
TGH now ranks fourth in the nation for transplants by volume, setting a new record with 756 transplants performed in 2023. The hospital also now ranks second in the nation for kidney transplants and first in the state of Florida for the largest living kidney donor program.
“A living kidney lasts longer, can be done in a timely fashion, expedited fashion,” said Dr. Pranjal Jain, Medical Director for the Living Donor Program and Chief of Nephrology at TGH. “As you know, there are more than 100,000 people waiting on the waitlist and there’s a lag time to get a transplant from a deceased donor, which depending on your blood type, can be three to five years.”
Cynthia Knowles from Manatee County waited two years for a match, one she found through a mutual friend. Both women are recovering well after their October kidney transplant procedures.
“I met this angel, I call her the angel, at a birthday party of a mutual friend of my husband’s,” said Knowles of her kidney donor, Christine Cyburt.
“I thought, ‘I have two and can’t try or she could die? I have to try,’” said Cyburt. “I did what I’m supposed to do on this earth, that’s how I feel.”
The women have kept in touch since surgery, making sure to meet at least once a month. A life-saving compatibility, going beyond a medical match to a personal connection.
“I think she’ll forever be a part of our extended family now,” said Knowles. “I’m just forever grateful and there’s not a day I don’t think about it.”
“I feel honored, seriously, to be part of her journey,” said Cyburt.
Knowles is grateful for her journey is full of emotional support and she finds new physical strength in getting back to doing what she loves, including pilates.
“I just notice a big difference week to week in terms of my strength, the strength in my abdomen and the scar is healing very well,” said Knowles, who is excited for her future. “I have this gift of time that I’m going to fully going to take advantage of, and I’m taking each day as it comes, and just enjoying the day and not getting stressed about anything. I just feel so blessed. Now I have a granddaughter, so now I feel like I have the opportunity to continue to give back and be a part of my family.”
“How life-changing it is to many people, families that might not have tomorrow?” said Cyburt. “Unbelievable.”
The top 5 hospitals in 2023 include:
- Mayo Clinic Hospital of Arizona
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center
- The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Tampa General Hospital
- Vanderbilt University
Melissa Eichman
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