Where Do Tranplant Organs Come From?
Caring Hands
Most of the livers that are transplanted come from organ donors who have died. Organ donors are adults or children who have become critically ill (often due to an accident) and will not live as a result of their illness or injury. If the donor is an adult, he or she may have agreed to be an organ donor before becoming ill.
Parents or spouses in the United States also can agree to donate a relative's organs if that person has died. This type of transplant is called a cadaveric transplant.
A child receiving a transplant may either get a whole liver or a piece (segment) of one. If an adult liver is available and is a good match for two children on the waiting list, the adult donor liver can be divided into two segments. This allows for each part to be transplanted.
Living family members also may be able to donate a section of their liver. This type of transplant is called a living-related donor transplant. Children receiving a partial liver seem to do as well as those who receive a whole liver. Relatives who donate a portion of their liver can live healthy lives with the segment that remains.
