Paragonix Technologies Joins Living Donor Circle of Excellence Offering Paid Leave to Living Donor Employees

Leader in transplant preservation offering paid leave to employees choosing life-saving living organ donation

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Paragonix Technologies 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 Paragonix Technologies

Paragonix Technologies is a leading developer, manufacturer, and service provider in the organ transplant industry, establishing a novel approach to organ preservation. Paragonix Technologies provides Advanced Organ Preservation (“AOP”) devices that safeguard donor organs during the journey between donor and recipient patients. Our FDA-cleared and CE-marked devices incorporate clinically proven and medically trusted cold preservation techniques that allow unprecedented physical and thermal protection to the organ during transit. All Paragonix AOP devices are natively integrated with our novel digital app, delivering real-time organ tracking data and monitoring logistics for transplant teams seeking a secure and centralized solution. For more information, visit www.paragonix.com.

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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.