Short Interesting Facts About Us, the Human Body & More…
Did You Know That…

1. Most recipients have three kidneys after a kidney transplant, because their own kidneys are usually left in place.

More Kidney Facts

2. Bean-Shaped Organs – The two kidneys you have are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist.

3. Missing Kidney at Birth – If one functional kidney is missing from birth, the other kidney can grow to reach a size similar to the combined weight of two kidneys.

4. Kidney Transplant – The world’s first successful kidney transplant was performed between twins in December 1954, by Dr. Joseph E. Murray at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston Massachusetts.

5. Kidney Damage – Estimated annual dialysis cost for just one person who has wrecked his/her own kidneys by shooting heroin – heroin nephropathy – is about $50,000!! Some drugs may cause kidney damage or failure, either directly or indirectly from dangerous increases in body temperature and muscle breakdown. Drugs that can cause kidney damage:

• Heroin
• Inhalants
• MDMA
• PCP

6. Every day, a person’s kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and extra water.

7. Nephrons – Waste is collected out of the blood by tiny filters inside the kidneys, called nephrons, pronounced – NEF-rahns. There are about 1 million nephrons inside each kidney!!

8. Kidney Disease – The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, and, people with a family history of any kind of kidney problem are also at risk.