Medical Services > Transplants

UT Southwestern Medical Center has a caring staff of medical professionals who are committed to enhancing patients’ quality of life, as well as meeting the needs of patients’ families. We can direct patients to a variety of informative and enriching support groups and other resources, which can be tailored to meet their specific needs.

At UT Southwestern, excellence in patient care includes helping point the way to resources patients may not be familiar with, but which have proved invaluable to others. We trust these services will assist patients as they move forward on the road to healing and improved health.

• Support Groups 
• Web Sites

SupportGroups

Because the waiting period can be stressful, a support group led by a social worker is available for consultation at UT Southwestern. It is open to patients being evaluated for transplant, those waiting for transplant and those who have received transplants. Family members are encouraged to attend. The group offers an emotionally supportive atmosphere where patients and families can share experiences and assist each other in coping with issues that arise before and after transplant. It also provides information on various topics of special interest to transplant patients and their families. Patients may ask the transplant social worker, or a transplant nurse coordinator, for specific information regarding support group meetings.

WebSites

Coalition on Donation
Donate Life America is a not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and local coalitions across the U.S. that is dedicated to inspiring all people to donate life through organ, eye and tissue donation.

Division of Transplantation (DOT), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The Division of Transplantation (HRSA/HSB) manages contracts with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). The division also administers grant programs and conducts public and professional education initiatives to increase awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donors.

The Glenda Dawson Donate Life Texas Registry
This organ-donation registry is operated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Texans can register to be an organ, tissue, and eye donor.

LifeGift Organ Donation Center
LifeGift was established in 1987 with a mission to save and enhance lives by maximizing organ and tissue donations. LifeGift is active in 109 Texas counties in southeast, north and west Texas.

Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA)
Founded in 1974, STA is one of the largest of 59 federally designated organ procurement organizations in the U.S. In its service area of Texas, STA is the official link between those who need an organ to survive and those who have the potential to save lives by becoming donors.

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance
Texas Organ Sharing Alliance is located in San Antonio, serving primarily south and south central Texas for organ donation and transplantation.

Transplant Living
Sponsored by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), this site provides detailed information about the transplantation process. Patients and their families can find local support groups and share their stories.

Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
TRIO is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ and tissue donors.

Transweb
Transweb is a nonprofit educational Web site serving the world transplant community.

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
The UNOS mission is to advance organ availability and transplantation by uniting and supporting our communities for the benefit of patients through education, technology and policy development.

UStransplant.org
UStransplant.org is the Web site of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Download statistical reports about transplant centers around the country.