Neil Bender, an associate professor of painting at the University of South Florida, recently underwent a liver transplant after learning he needed one in 2023. The surgery, performed in July 2024, was a success, and Bender expressed gratitude for his second chance at life. The transplant was made possible by advanced organ perfusion technology that allows doctors to transport and preserve organs for transplantation more effectively.
Dr. Kiran Dhanireddy, Vice President and Chief of the Tampa General Hospital Transplant Institute, explained that the new technology has revolutionized the field of organ transplantation by expanding the pool of available donor organs. This breakthrough has allowed more patients, like Bender, to receive life-saving transplants. Dr. Dhanireddy highlighted how this advancement has significantly increased the number of liver transplants performed at the Tampa General Hospital, making it one of the largest liver transplant programs in the country.
In a separate development, Pinellas County commissioner feels betrayed by the Tampa Bay Rays’ decision to play their 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, instead of a minor league ballpark in Pinellas County. The commissioner, Latvala, expressed disappointment in the team’s choice and believed they should have prioritized playing in their home county.
Source
Photo credit www.abcactionnews.com
