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What Is an Organ Transplant?
Organ transplant is a surgical procedure to remove damaged or diseased organs and replace them with healthy donor organs. Preparation for a transplant is an extensive process and includes a detailed evaluation, a search for donor organ transplant surgery and a recovery period.
Below is a comprehensive resource listing for organ transplant patients. Each resource includes a brief description and an active link for easy access.
Support Groups
Loyola Medicine Transplant Support Group
Provides support and resources for lung transplant patients.
https://www.loyolamedicine.org/find-a-condition-or-service/transplant-center/lung-transplant/
Northwestern Medicine Transplant Support Group
Offers support for various types of transplants, including cardiac and lung.
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/organ-transplantation
University of Chicago Medicine Transplant Support Group
Comprehensive support for transplant patients, focusing on lung transplants.
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/transplant
University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UIC) Transplant Support Group
Provides resources and support for transplant patients, with a focus on lung transplants.
https://hospital.uillinois.edu/primary-and-specialty-care/transplant)
Lurie Children's Hospital Transplant Support Group
Specialized support for pediatric transplant patients.
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/transplant/ )
Organizations Specific to Transplants
Gift of Life
Provides support and resources for organ donation and transplant patients.
https://gift-of-life.org/
National Kidney Foundation – Transplantation
Provides extensive information on kidney transplants
https://www.kidney.org/transplantation
National Living Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC)
The NLDAC mission is to reduce the financial disincentives to living organ donation. To this end, we operate a nationwide system that provides reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses, lost wages, and dependent care expenses to people being evaluated for and/or undergoing living organ donation. Priority is given to those who could not otherwise afford to donate.
https://www.livingdonorassistance.org/Resources/Additional-Resources
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Manages the national transplant waiting list and provides comprehensive resources for transplant patients.
https://unos.org/
Post-Transplant Care Information
Importance of Follow Up Care and Check-Ups After Transplant Surgery
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/transplant/pre-post-transplant-care
Kidney Transplant Care
Information on what to expect post-transplant, managing medications, and safety guidelines.
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/transplant
Liver Transplant Care
Guidelines for post-transplant care, including diet and medication management.
https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-liver-disease/
Stem Cell Transplant Care
Resources for managing post-transplant care and understanding the immunocompromised state.
https://www.lls.org/treatment/types-treatment/stem-cell-transplantation
Pre- & Post-Transplant Care
Information on both pre/post-transplant care
https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/transplant/pre-post-transplant-care
Lymphoma and Leukemia Transplant Care
Information on post-transplant care for lymphoma and leukemia patients.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia.html)
CAR-T Cell Transplant Care
Guidelines and recommendations for post-transplant care specific to CAR-T cell therapy.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/research/car-t-cells)
Organ Transplant Housing Support
Medical Center Housing by UIC
Provides housing support for transplant patients and their families.
https://hospital.uillinois.edu/patients-and-visitors/guest-services/housing
Lifestyle Changes
Diet and Nutrition
Dietary guidelines for transplant patients, including foods to avoid and managing diabetes.
https://www.kidney.org/nutrition
Exercise and Physical Activity
Safe exercise routines and physical activity recommendations for transplant patients.
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness)
Mental Health Post-Transplant Surgery
Resources for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional processing post-transplant.
https://www.nami.org/Home
Other Considerations
Guidelines for Managing Your Safety Post-Transplant
https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/transplant/transplant-after-care.pdf
Information on Finding Housing Support After Transplant Surgery
https://tinyurl.com/32vvpeh4
Understanding the Emotional and Physical Changes Post-Transplant Surgery
https://transplantliving.org/after-the-transplant/
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