The organ donor.

Vascularized organ transplantation is now a widely applied therapy for patients with end-stage diseases of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. A critical shortage of donor organs exists in the United States and, as a consequence, prospective transplant recipients die while waiting for a life-saving transplant. The apparent shortage of cadaver organs is, in large part, caused by the reluctance and failure of the physician and the public to promote cadaver organ donation. Educational awareness programs for both professional personnel and the public at large are needed to increase the number of potential donors and multiorgan procurements carried out. All victims of trauma with severe closed head injury or cerebrovascular catastrophe secondary to anoxia should be considered as potential organ donors and referred to the local organ procurement agency for evaluation.