Season 2 Episode 5, Sharing is caring, Guest United Tissue Resources

Each year, there are more than 1 million tissue transplants performed each year. Recipients experience various medical conditions that can only be resolved through the application of donated allograft. Please explore these profound individual stories, the types of allograft available to patients and the process it takes to make it possible. Hospitals are required by federal law to report deaths to donation organizations. When this happens, agencies like United Tissue Resources will contact the hospital to evaluate the patient for donor eligibility. Referrals may also originate from a medical examiner’s office, justice of the peace, or hospice care. The UTR Staff operates on 24 hours a day to provide families with the option of the donation and facilitate the gift. The donor’s medical and social history as well as blood testing and medical records is evaluated to protect recipients from disease transmission by a tissue processor. The tissue processor further evaluates the donated tissue and prepares it for implantation. Doctors and medical staff work with United Tissue Resources to then facilitate receipt of the appropriate allograft for their patients.