National Transplant Waiting List

Matching Donated Organs to Transplant Candidates

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) matches transplant candidates with available organs through a computerized networking system. This system will match transplant candidates with available organs by screening for specific factors like:

• blood type
• organ/tissue size
• transplant urgency
• geographic location
• weight
• other medical factors

From there, the system will generate a “match run” or an ordered list of candidates to be offered each donated organ. The organ will be offered to the first person who is a match unless that individual denies transplantation. It would then go to the next match on the list.

The UNOS allocation system is designed to match candidates in a way that will ensure the best possible chance of long-term survival.

The Matching System for Our Pediatric Candidates

Pediatric candidates have a unique scoring system and respond better to receiving other children’s organs. An adult sized organ will rarely fit the size of a child. Therefore, kids are the first to be offered and receive pediatric organ donations.