Links of Interest

The following links provide information on organ donation and transplantation.

Government Resources

U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services Division of Transplantation, Health Resources and Services Administration
The Division provides federal oversight and funding support for the nation’s organ procurement, allocation, and transplantation system; coordinates national organ and tissue donation activities; and administers the national bone marrow system.
http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/dot

Food and Drug Administration
The FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research is responsible for ensuring the safety, efficacy, potency, and purity of biological (e.g. tissues) and related products intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention or cure of diseases in humans as well as the safety of the nation’s supply of blood and blood products.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/index.html

National Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has undertaken this initiative to ease the critical shortage of organ donors. The initiative's goals are to increase consent to donation, maximize donation opportunities, and learn more about what works to increase donation and transplantation through carefully designed research efforts.
http://www.organdonor.gov

National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases
Among its many activities, NIAID supports studies aimed at improving immunosuppressive therapies, furthering developing reagents needed for precise tissue matching, defining the genetic regulation of the immune response, and understanding the molecular mechanisms that control immune system genes. NIAID is participating in the first NIH cooperative clinical trial in kidney transplantation, designed to translate developments in basic research into new therapies to prevent graft rejection.
http://www.niaid.nih.gov

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
NIDDK conducts and supports basic and clinical research on kidney disease and other disease affecting public health.
http://www.niddk.nih.gov

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/kidney/nkudic.htm


Organizational Resources

American Association of Tissue Banks
AATB is a scientific, not-for-profit, peer-group organization founded in 1976. Its mission is to facilitate the provision of high quality transplantable human tissue in quantities sufficient to meet national needs.
http://www.aatb.org

American Red Cross Tissue Services
American Red Cross Tissue Services supplies one-quarter of the nation’s tissue for transplantation through its network of 15 tissue centers nationwide and promotes donation through its Transplant Awareness Program.
http://www.redcross.org/services/biomed/tissue/

American Society of Transplantation
AST is an organization of transplant professionals dedicated to research, education, advocacy, and patient care in transplantation science and medicine.
http://www.a-s-t.org/index.htm

American Society of Transplant Surgeons
ASTS promotes and encourages education and research in organ and tissue transplantation to facilitate progress in the saving of lives and to enhance the quality of lives of patients afflicted with end-stage organ disease.
http://www.asts.org

Association of Organ Procurement Organizations
AOPO is a private, not-for-profit professional organization representing the nation’s organ procurement organizations.
http://www.aopo.org

Coalition on Donation
The Coalition on Donation is an alliance of voluntary, professional health, science, and transplant patient groups formed to educate the public about organ and tissue donation, correct misconceptions about donation, and create a greater willingness to donate.
http://www.shareyourlife.org

Eye Bank Association of America
EBAA is a not-for-profit organization of eye banks dedicated to the restoration of sight through the promotion and advancement of eye banking.
http://www.restoresight.org

National Kidney Foundation, Inc.
NKF is a voluntary health organization that seeks to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.
http://www.kidney.org

National Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program
National MOTTEP educates minority communities about organ and tissue transplantation and empowers minority communities to develop transplant education programs to address the shortage of donors.
http://www.nationalmottep.org

North American Transplant Coordinator’s Organization
NATCO is a professional society of transplant coordinators, including clinical and organ and tissue recovery coordinators, as well as specialists in public and professional education.
http:// www.natco1.org

TransWeb
TransWeb is a non-profit educational web site featuring news and events, information about donation, and resource links.
http://www.transweb.org

Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc.
TRIO is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ donors.
http://www.trioweb.org

United Network for Organ Sharing
UNOS provides information for professionals, patients, donors, and recipients on OPTN policies and data on donation and transplantation.
http://www.unos.org

 

Donor Family Resources

National Donor Family Council
The Council provides information and support to donor families and professionals. Materials include the For those Who Give and Grieve Book, For Those Who Give and Grieve Newsletter, the Donor Family Connection Newsletter, Brain Death: A Simple Explanation, and the Nation Communications Guidelines to assist professionals in facilitating communication between donor families and transplant recipients.
http://www.kidney.org/recips/donor


Professional Resources

United Network for Organ Sharing
UNOS publications include the Organ Procurement Coordinator’s Handbook; the UNOS Organ Procurement, Preservation and Distribution in Transplantation reference manual; Donation and Transplantation Nursing Curriculum; Vital Connections Emergency Physician Kit, Organ and Tissue Donation: A Reference Guide for Clergy, Brain Death Video; and the “In Symphony…” booklet and poster on the donation process.
http://www.unos.org/resources/libraryServices.asp


Other Links to State Organizations