Transplant Television Series: Last Chance Transplant on Discovery+

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center is the backdrop for a new documentary television series, “Last Chance Transplant,” providing a compelling look at the lives of organ transplant patients. Produced by “Good Morning America” anchor and double stem-cell transplant recipient Robin Roberts, the series offers a deeply personal perspective on the life-saving power of organ donation.

“Last Chance Transplant,” a three-part series with hour-long episodes, premiered September 22, 2021, on Discovery+. The series, a collaboration between Rock’n Robin Productions and 44 Blue Productions, features two patients per episode, each facing a critical need for a life-saving organ. The Vanderbilt Transplant Center, renowned for its expertise and innovation, provides the medical setting for these powerful stories.

Dr. Seth Karp, chair of the Section of Surgical Sciences and director of the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, expressed pride in the center’s participation in the project. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about organ donation and the transformative impact of transplantation. Each episode underscores this message, incorporating a call to action from Roberts encouraging viewers to register as organ donors.

Roberts, drawing on her personal experience with a bone marrow transplant, shared her motivation for producing the series. She expressed gratitude for her sister and donor, Sally-Ann, as well as her medical team and support network, highlighting the importance of focusing on the fight for survival. “Last Chance Transplant” allows Roberts to share the inspiring stories of six individuals awaiting transplants and the dedicated teams supporting them.

The series followed six critically ill patients for months, documenting their arduous journeys as they waited for liver, kidney, heart, lung, or multi-organ transplants. The cameras captured groundbreaking procedures, including the world’s first heart and double-lung transplant performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another episode features a potentially world-first heart and liver transplant in an adult with Down syndrome, showcasing the cutting-edge work at the Vanderbilt Transplant Center.

The “Last Chance Transplant” television series provides a powerful platform to educate the public about the critical need for organ donation and celebrate the resilience of transplant patients and the dedication of medical professionals. The series highlights the transformative power of transplantation and encourages viewers to consider becoming organ donors.