The Donation Process

Hospitals must call the local organ procurement organization (OPO) with information on every patient who dies. The professionals evaluate each patient to see if a medical donation can occur and determine if the patient was a donor by checking a donor registry or other documents.

The OPO professionals provide support for the donor's family and explain the donation process.

If donation can occur for transplantation, the donor’s information is submitted to UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) to be matched with potential recipients.

Transplant surgeons and professionals perform the organ recoveries, followed by eye and tissue recovery specialists.

The sickest patients who match the donor receive a life-saving transplant, while tissue and eye banks receive donated gifts to prepare for requests by surgeons.

The OPO continues to provide sensitive and caring support for grieving families after the recovery.