Living Organ Donation

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) maintains the national list of patients waiting for deceased organ donor transplants. UNOS' computer matches patients to donor organs according to objective criteria such as blood and tissue type, immune status, medical urgency and time spent on the waiting list. The ranking system determines which patient is offered the available organ.

In addition to deceased (person declared brain dead) donor transplants, patients may also receive organs from living donors. Living donation offers an alternative for individuals awaiting transplantation and increases the existing organ supply.

Related Information

• Create a data report to compare living and deceased donor data
• Find your region's OPO or a local transplant program in the Member Directory
• Read "Living Donation | Information You Need to Know", a 12 page booklet is a resource for potential living donors and transplant candidates
• Read details about living donation, including history, types, outcomes and more
• Access additional resources, including evaluation guidelines, informed consent and more

Last updated: April 15, 2009