At the Southern California Transplantation Institute and Liver Center, we believe that patients should be thoroughly informed before deciding to undergo transplant surgery. We provide patient education as part of our pretransplant assessment. In addition to learning about the transplant process, patients have the opportunity to meet the surgeon and other members of the care team. Sources for Organs Through personal generosity, organs for transplant become available. Living donors, either related or unrelated to the patient, may donate organs.
Organs also become available from individuals who have suddenly died.
It is important to understand that there are many more patients who need organs for transplant than there are organs available. At the Southern California Transplantation Institute and Liver Center, we assist patients in registering with UNOS and coordinate the procurement of organs when they become available. The factors that affect waiting time include the organ needed, the patient's blood type and immune response, as well as general state of health. The Southern California Transplantation Institute and Liver Center is located adjacent to Riverside Community Hospital. Transplant surgeries for kidney and combined kidney and pancreas are performed at the Hospital, and patients are cared for in the specially designated Transplant Unit.