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It is natural for your immune system to destroy invading foreign substances in order to fight off infection and disease. Basically, an organ transplant from someone else is foreign to your body. When a new organ is placed into your body, your immune system sees it as foreign and tries to destroy it. The most important weapons to fight this rejection are antirejection medicines that prevent your immune system from attacking the donor organ.

Not everyone is a good candidate for an organ transplant. You probably are not a good candidate if you have an active infection, unstable heart disease, or another serious medical problem. Also, you will not be considered for organ transplant if you have an active substance abuse problem. Ask your doctor for more information about organ transplantation and whether you would be considered a good candidate.

While transplantation can be a long and challenging process, your quality of life may be greatly improved.

Because receiving a donor organ is a big responsibility, you'll have to be committed to taking good care of yourself in order to be approved for a donor organ. The best way to do this is to take medicines as prescribed, get regular blood tests, and make any necessary lifestyle changes to stay healthy. Because there are many emotional issues that may come with a transplant, you may find it helpful to see a psychiatrist, psychologist, or a licensed mental health counselor about your transplant.

Success rates usually state how many people who receive the transplant are living 5 years after the transplant.¹

• Kidney: About 8 or 9 people out of 10 (80% to 90%)
• Liver: About 7 or 8 people out of 10 (74% to 76%)
• Lung: About 5 people out of 10 (53%)
• Pancreas: About 8 or 9 people out of 10 (84% to 88%)
• Heart: About 7 people out of 10 (74%)
• Intestine: About 5 people out of 10 (54%)

How can my loved ones prepare?

There are many ways your loved ones can provide you with support during and after your organ transplant. It may be helpful to have at least one support person stay at the transplant center with you during and after your surgery. Before your transplant, this person can talk with the transplant coordinator to arrange for lodging while you are in the hospital. He or she should have a suitcase packed and be prepared to go to the transplant center with you when you get the call that your organ is available.

The transplant coordinator can also tell the support person where to wait during your surgery. Your support person can be responsible for writing down and asking the transplant team questions during and after your surgery. Also, he or she can stay with you after the surgery and watch for any rejection symptoms or unusual behaviors (such as being overly agitated) that sometimes occur after a transplant.