By Leigh Farmer 

VCU Health received approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to begin lung transplantation at its Hume-Lee Transplant Center. With the inclusion of VCU Health, there are only three transplant centers that can perform lung transplantation in Virginia.

“This will be extremely beneficial for the hundreds of patients living with advanced lung disease in eastern and central Virginia,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., interim chief executive officer of VCU Health System Authority and interim senior vice president of VCU Health Sciences. “It removes the barrier of long-distant travel for those awaiting transplants and completes the continuum of care VCU Health can provide to those patients.”

Often, patients awaiting transplant are given little notice once an organ has become available. That can mean traveling far distances, quickly, as well as staying away from home for extended periods of time. Having a center close to home reduces the burden for both the patient and their caretakers.

The VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center is one of the longest-operating and busiest transplant centers in the nation, performing 37% of all transplants in Virginia.

“We are thrilled to expand our services to include lung transplantation,” said David Bruno, M.D., director of Hume-Lee Transplant Center. “This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to say 'yes' to more patients in need, ultimately saving more lives and offering renewed hope to those battling advanced lung diseases."

Providing lung transplantation will aid in fulfilling a growing need in the community and the nation.

“Lung disease has become increasingly prevalent in Virginia and across the United States. VCU Health stands ready to meet this growing need by expanding our pulmonology services,” said Vipul Patel, M.D., medical director for the lung transplant program. “Transplantation can extend a person’s life.”

More than one million adults live with chronic lung disease in Virginia, according to the American Lung Association. Almost half of those people are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is caused by smoking and air pollution.

Nationally, there are more than 930 people waiting for a lung transplant. While the number can change daily, roughly 30 Virginians are waiting for a lung or a dual lung and heart transplant.