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Becoming a Donor

What to Donate   

From Donation
to Transplant
  

Transplant Recipient  

Living Donation

Finding More Donors

About this Site

 

A Complex Web

Every year, thousands of people receive organ and tissue transplants, and often with them a new lease on life. The transplants range from heart transplants to skin grafts and may involve deceased or living donors, depending on the procedure.

Behind each transplant lies a network of organ donation organizations, hospitals, tissue banks and groups maintaining lists of people needing transplants - all working together to match donors with recipients.

For these groups, the shortage of donors remains a frustrating problem. In April 2003, the United Network for Organ Sharing reported more than 81,000 people are waiting for organ transplants. Yet, in 2001, only about 6,000 people donated organs after death.

For some patients, hope lies in living donation, a growing trend which involves people giving up an extra organ or a part of one, so it can be used to save the life of a friend, loved one or stranger.

 

©2003 Gina Comparini