How organs are matched

UNOS saves lives through organ transplantation, matching, and allocation. Understand the many factors considered when prioritizing patients for an organ transplant.

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Facts about organ donation

Organ donation has been around for decades but there are still a number of public misconceptions. Learn the facts to better understand organ, eye, and tissue donation.

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Information on living donation

Living donation from a family member, loved one, or even a stranger can be the fastest life-saving option for many who face a long wait for an organ transplant.

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How organ matching works

When a patient is “added to the list,” a transplant hospital adds a patient’s medical information into UNOS’ computer system. When a deceased organ donor is identified, UNOS’ computer system generates a ranked list of transplant candidates, or “matches”, based on blood type, tissue type, medical urgency, waiting time, expected benefit, geography and other medical criteria.

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Facts

You can be a donor at any age.
Celebrity or financial status are not factors in getting a transplant.
Donation is possible with many medical conditions.
All major religions approve of organ and tissue donation.
A national computer system and strict standards are in place to ensure ethical and fair distribution of organs.
A healthy person can become a living donor by donating a kidney, or a part of the liver, lung, intestine, blood or bone marrow.
Learn more organ donation facts.