Transplant Links Community

The Transplant Links Community (TLC) is a UK-registered charity focused on improving access to kidney transplantation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Established around 2007, TLC is dedicated to providing hands-on training and mentoring in kidney transplantation to healthcare professionals worldwide.

Mission and Activities

TLC's mission is to assist in developing sustainable and ethical living-donor transplant units. This allows more patients globally to access potentially life-saving kidney transplant procedures. The charity works by training surgeons, doctors, nurses, and hospital teams in LMICs to perform these complex surgeries independently.

Key Initiatives

• Training and Education: TLC provides comprehensive training to medical professionals, empowering them to conduct living-donor kidney transplants.
• Sustainability: Beyond training, TLC works with hospital administrations, social workers, transplant coordinators, and government officials to ensure the long-term sustainability of transplant programs.
• Global Outreach: The organization collaborates with emerging transplant units worldwide, fostering a network of skilled professionals and facilities.

History and Impact

The first teaching mission was conducted in Ghana in 2007, marking the beginning of TLC's global efforts. Since then, the charity has grown into an international organization with a medical faculty of over 50 volunteer clinicians. TLC has made significant contributions by increasing access to kidney transplants in various regions, including Africa and the Caribbean.

Recognition and Partnerships

TLC has been recognized for its contributions through presentations at major conferences such as the European Society for Organ Transplantation and the African Society for Organ Transplantation. The charity has also published articles in prestigious medical journals like the British Medical Journal and Kidney International. High-profile figures, including Baroness Floella Benjamin, support TLC's mission as patrons.

[1] https://www.transplantlinks.org/about-transplant-links [2] https://www.transplantlinks.org [3] https://www.devex.com/organizations/transplant-links-community-108470 [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1119923&subid=0 [5] https://www.instagram.com/transplantlinkscommunity/