UNOS DonateLife

November 7, 2004

Comprehensive Review of OPTN/UNOS Deceased Donor Kidney Allocation

To:  OPTN/UNOS members and other interested persons

From: Robert A. Metzger, M.D., President;  Mark D. Stegall, M.D., Chair, OPTN/UNOS Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation Committee and Kidney Allocation Review Subcommittee;  Walter K. Graham, Executive Director Subcommittee

Re:Comprehensive Review of OPTN/UNOS Deceased Donor Kidney Allocation

Date:  November 8, 2004

Deadline: February 1, 2005

In the coming months, The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) will conduct a comprehensive review of the national system for allocating deceased donor kidneys. This review has been stimulated by recent reviews that led to significant changes in the allocation of solid organs such as liver and lung. However, the issues surrounding deceased donor kidney allocation are likely to be quite different. We are intent on making this comprehensive review an open process that will include input from all areas of the transplant community and general public.

The aim of this e-mail is to direct you to more detailed information regarding:

1. The process for this review, which will include a series of focused, public hearings involving expert "testimony" and open discussion regarding specific aspects of the national kidney allocation system and opportunities for assessment and/or improvement, and
2. A request for your input on any or all of several questions regarding the kidney allocation system.

Further detail regarding the kidney allocation review process as well as the questions to which responses are being solicited is available for review through Public Comment.

Comments regarding the questions presented may be submitted electronically at the above sites. We request that you respond to UNOS by February 1, 2005.

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)/United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) appreciates your participation in this important initiative.