Organ Transplant Donation Performed Body Year U.S Drug

Organ donation has a long history, dating back to 1869 when the first skin transplant was performed. The first cornea transplant was performed in 1906 and the first kidney transplant was performed in 1954, between "twins" (two people who are born at the same time to the same mother). The "medical community" (doctors and other healthcare professionals) began "recovering" (getting; collecting) organs from "deceased" (dead) "donors" (people who give something) in the early 1960s.

In 1968, a committee at Harvard University established the first definition of "brain death" (the condition where a body is still functioning and the organs are still alive, but the brain is no longer responsive and the person is considered dead). That same year, the first organ "procurement" (the process of getting and/or buying something) organization was opened in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1983, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a drug to improve "transplant outcomes" (whether a transplant is successful) by reducing the "potential" (the likelihood or probability that something will happen) of organ "rejection" (when the recipient's body fights against the transplanted organ).

The following year, the U.S. Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act, which "prohibits" (does not allow) the sale of organs and "ensures" (makes happen) the "equitable" (just; fair) distribution of organs to the patients who need them.

In 2003, April was "designated" (named and intended for a particular purpose) National Donate Life month. In recent years, many government agencies and nonprofit organizations have launched initiatives in that month and throughout the year to increase interest and participation in organ donation.