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In the news
About us
Interview an expert
Data
Press releases
New policy aims to speed kidney acceptance rates, increase transplants
The OPTN Board of Directors unanimously approved a new policy that will help more patients receive a lifesaving kidney transplant by getting the right organ to the right patient faster.
New UNOS board officers begin service July 1
UNOS welcomes 19 new members to its 42-member Board of Directors, who will begin their term on July 1, 2023.
Augmented reality app aims to produce better images of donor organs
Proof-of-concept phase is exploring how this new tool could address a community need and increase organ utilization
UNOS advances plan to restructure transplant network governance to best serve patients
To increase autonomy and transparency to better serve the nation’s transplant patients, UNOS recommends a restructure of respective boards of directors and to establish the OPTN as an independent non-profit entity.
Change addressing disparity for black kidney patients takes effect
New policy allows for waiting time adjustments for those disadvantaged by the use of race-based measures of kidney health.
UNOS leadership requests USDS engagement concerning leaked report and impact on patients
Leaders in organ donation and transplantation seek meeting and assessment with U.S. Digital Service concerning IT systems that make over 41,000 transplants possible per year.
UNOS seeks better air transportation for lifesaving organs
Board Presidents and Interim CEO request meeting with DOT, HRSA, FAA and TSA to find paths for improvement.
UNOS in the news
National Donor Memorial celebrates 20 years of honoring organ donors, recipients
Nov. 16, 2023 | WTVR
Congress weighs easing restrictions on transporting donor organs on commercial flights
July 18, 2023 | USA Today
Unlocking the full potential of organ transplants
June 23, 2023 | Medika Life
Organ transplants are increasing
- 2023: More than 46,000 organ transplants performed and total kidney transplants exceeded 27,000
- 2022: U.S. surpassed historic milestone of 1 million transplants
- Liver transplants increased by 4.3 percent since policy implementation
- 29% increase in kidney transplants with policy change
About us
FAQs
- What does UNOS do?
- About deceased organ donation
- Who decides who gets a donated organ?
- Who does what: The national organ transplant system
- Organ Procurement Organizations: Increasing organ donation
Issues and advocacy
Waiting for an organ is not waiting in line
- The waitlist is better described as a giant pool of patients. Watch a video
- The transplant journey and the technology that drives it
Working together: Our nation’s organ donation and transplant system
- The nation’s system functions as a public-private partnership. View a diagram of its structure
- The OPTN, HRSA and CMS have different roles. Learn about the roles
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the mission-driven non-profit serving as the nation’s transplant system under contract with the federal government. We lead the network of transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and thousands of volunteers who are dedicated to honoring the gifts of life entrusted to us and to making lifesaving transplants possible for patients in need. Working together, we leverage data and advances in science and technology to continuously strengthen the system, increase the number of organs recovered and the number of transplants performed, and ensure patients across the nation have equitable access to transplant.
Interview an expert
and the patients they serve
We can connect you with transplant patients and the people innovating and improving the organ donation and transplant system:
- medical practitioners
- policy experts
- behavioral scientists
- biostatisticians
- data scientists
- technology innovators
Under deadline? We’re here to assist and your message will receive a prompt response. Email [email protected]
Data
Serving as the OPTN, UNOS has collected data on every organ donation and transplant event occurring in the U.S. since October 1, 1987.
OPTN metrics
See current and historic trends. Learn about dashboard.
DashboardEquity in access
Monitors trends related to access to deceased donor transplants among active transplant candidates.
DashboardCurrent state
Updated daily: State of organ donation and transplantation in U.S.
DashboardUnder deadline? We’re here to assist and your message will receive a prompt response. Email [email protected]