Allocation
the strategic distribution, apportionment, or assignment of resources—such as funds, time, or personnel—for specific purposes, projects, or departments to maximize efficiency
Allograft
each of two or more alternative forms of a letter of an alphabet or other grapheme. The capital, lowercase, italic, and various handwritten forms of the letter A are allographs.
Brain Death
irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brainstem
Circulatory Death
occurs when organs are recovered for transplant after the irreversible cessation of heart and breathing functions,
Connective Tissue
the body's most abundant, widely distributed, and diverse tissue type, acting as "cellular glue" to support, bind, and protect organs and tissues
Cross-Matching
the final, essential pre-transfusion compatibility test, often referred to as a major crossmatch, that mixes donor red blood cells with recipient plasma to detect antibodies and prevent severe transfusion reactions.
Deceased Donor
a person who has recently passed away—typically declared brain dead or, less commonly, dead by cardiac criteria—and whose organs or tissues are recovered for transplantation with consent.
Donor Registry
The National Donate Life Registry (RegisterMe.org) is a secure, online database managed by Donate Life America that allows individuals to legally authorize organ, eye, and tissue donation
Immunosuppressive Drugs
medications that inhibit immune system activity to prevent organ transplant rejection, treat autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), and manage severe allergies
Living Donor
an organ donor that's alive
National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA)
+7The U.S. national organ transplant system, overseen by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), matches donors with over 100,000 patients on a centralized waiting list.
Organ Donation
the selfless act of giving organs or tissues to someone needing a transplant to save or significantly improve their life
Organ Preservation
static cold storage and machine perfusion
Organ Procurement
is a non-profit entity designated by the federal government to manage the entire process of deceased organ donation within a specific geographic region.
Organ Viability
the functional survival of organs outside the body for transplantation,
Recipient
a person or thing that receives or is awarded something.
Rejection
the painful, universal experience of being dismissed or excluded, often causing feelings of inadequacy, shame, or social anxiety
Tendons
tough, fibrous, and inelastic bands of collagen tissue that connect muscle to bone, facilitating joint movement and absorbing shock.
Tissue
a group of similar cells and extracellular matrix working together to perform specific functions
Transplant Center
hospitals that are staffed and equipped to perform complex organ transplant procedures
Waiting List
a managed queue for limited services, housing, or admissions,