Donor Network West and SRRMC partner to save lives

San Ramon, CA - Donor Network West, the organ procurement organization that heals lives through organ and tissue donation in northern California and Nevada, announced a partnership with San Ramon Regional Medical Center.

Under the collaboration, specific organ donors will be transferred to the hospital’s facilities as a way to reduce the timeframe for the recovery of organs.

Organ recovery has traditionally been performed at community hospitals, utilizing the hospital’s resources. Many times, the requested timeframe from donor families is difficult to accommodate within the busy hospital setting. This agreement allows for the transplant team to complete recoveries at San Ramon Regional’s on-campus Ambulatory Surgery Center, located across the street from Donor Network West’s headquarters.

“Honoring and respecting the donors and families that we serve is at the core of our mission. This change in practice will help relieve some of the organ recovery timing stress for these families and allow them for better planning during a very difficult time,” says Cindy Siljestrom, CEO of Donor Network West.

Donor Network West partners with 175 hospitals in 40 counties. Along with a more certain timeframe for donor families, transferring specific organ donors to San Ramon Regional Medical Center will improve the logistical challenges of transporting staff and surgeons across the region.

 “We are excited to partner with the Donor Network to perform this important work, and look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of the tri-valley and beyond,” said Gary Sloan, CEO of San Ramon Regional Medical Center.

There are 10,600 people waiting for an organ transplant in northern California and Nevada, of which 900 reside in Contra Costa County. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can heal more than 50 others. Anyone can register as a donor at DonorNetworkWest.org or at the DMV.