The History of Organ Transplant
The first successful organ transplant was performed in 1954 when a kidney was transplanted between identical twins. For decades after, transplantation slowly developed as surgeons worked to overcome immune rejection of transplanted organs. By the late 1960s, drugs were developed to suppress the immune system and prevent rejection, greatly expanding the pool of potential organ donors and recipients. Since then, transplantation has expanded to include heart, lung, liver, pancreas, small bowel and other organs. Today, transplantation has become a routine lifesaving medical procedure.

The Need for Donated Organs
Unfortunately, the need for donated Organ Transplant outpaces the available supply. According to government data, over 107,000 people in the country are currently on the transplant waiting list. Each day, an average of 20 people die while waiting for an organ due to the shortage of available donors.

The organs most frequently transplanted are kidneys, yet every 14 minutes a new name is added to the national kidney waiting list. Other organs with high demand include the liver and heart. Those in need of lifesaving organ transplants face uncertainty not knowing when or if a match may become available in time.

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