UNOS DonateLife

October 31, 2003

"One-Stop" Information Source Launched for Organ Transplant Patients

Richmond, Va. -- The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) today launched its expanded patient information Web site (www.transplantliving.org) to meet the needs of patients and families dealing with organ transplantation. TransplantLiving.org has been transformed into a one-stop information resource to empower transplant patients and families before, during and after the transplant experience.

"Patients' needs change dramatically as they progress from organ transplant candidates to life after transplantation," said UNOS President Russell H. Wiesner, M.D. "The Web site has been improved to meet their informational needs along the way. As a transplant surgeon, I will encourage my patients to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge this site provides."

TransplantLiving offers transplant candidates and recipients an unprecedented volume of practical and scientific resources relating to organ transplantation -- all of which are reliable and constantly updated to keep patients informed. TransplantLiving now features:

• Pre- and post-transplant therapies and medication;
• A financial resources directory, featuring links and contact information;
• Feature articles about nutrition and wellness, research, and emerging trends in surgical techniques, products and therapies;
• Easy-to-use community outreach information and opportunities, including a calendar of events and support group meetings organized by state.

To help ensure that TransplantLiving.org is accurate, unbiased and understandable, an editorial board of patient representatives and transplant healthcare professionals -- from a wide variety of specialties affiliated with different hospitals, schools of medicine and organizations -- review all new content before it is posted.

According to kidney/pancreas transplant recipient and chair of UNOS' Patient Affairs Committee Deborah Surlas, TransplantLiving's slogan, "Your prescription for transplant information" couldn't be more fitting. "I wish this Web site had existed when I was a transplant candidate. TransplantLiving.org is a user-friendly collection of everything you need to know as a transplant patient all in one place."

A private, nonprofit organization, UNOS manages the nation's organ transplant system and oversees the world's most comprehensive database of clinical transplant information under contract with the federal government. UNOS operates the 24-hour computerized organ sharing system, matching donated organs to patients registered on the national organ transplant waiting list. UNOS seeks to increase organ donation through education and improve transplant success rates through outcomes-based research and policymaking. Transplant scientists and health officials recognize UNOS-developed technology applications as the international model for organ sharing.