Organ transplant policies remain, putting veterans at risk

WXIA | Andy Periotti

Eugene Cypress is recovering from leukemia after a bone marrow stem cell transplant at a VA hospital in San Antonio. Cypress served in Vietnam and believes agent orange used in the war contributed to his cancer. (Photo: WXIA)

Nearly five months after an 11Alive investigation exposed problems with a federal organ transplant program, veterans across the country continue to complain about the distance they’re forced to travel for live-saving operations.

After the Investigators broke the story in August, it appeared the Department of Veterans Affairs planned to help at least some veterans. As 11Alive Investigator Andy Pierrotti explains, many veterans still face obstacles seeking transplants.

One of those veterans includes Eugene Cypress.He’s recovering from leukemia after a bone marrow stem cell transplant at a VA hospital in San Antonio. Cypress served in Vietnam and believes agent orange used in the war contributed to his cancer.Cypress lives in New Orleans, but the VA required the Marine veteran to travel 544 miles to San Antonio for the transplant. Continue reading

from Donate Life Organ and Tissue Donation Blog℠ http://ift.tt/2inMwPY