Located in Richmond, Virginia, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, scientific and educational organization that administers the only Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) in the United States, established (42 U.S.C. ยง 274) by the U.S. Congress in 1984.
UNOS is involved in many aspects of the organ transplant and donation process:
- Managing the national transplant waiting list, matching donors to recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Maintaining the database that contains all organ transplant data for every transplant event that occurs in the U.S.
- Bringing together members to develop policies that make the best use of the limited supply of organs and give all patients a fair chance at receiving the organ they need, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion, lifestyle or financial/social status.
- Monitoring every organ match to ensure organ allocation policies are followed.
- Providing assistance to patients, family members and friends.
- Educating transplant professionals about their important role in the donation and transplant processes.
- Educating the public about the importance of organ donation.
UNOS was awarded the initial OPTN contract on September 30, 1986 and is the only organization to ever manage the OPTN. UNOS provides the OPTN with a functional, effective management system incorporating the Board of Directors, committees and regional membership to operate OPTN elements and activities.
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