About Us
Glen W. Karsten and a few of her friends founded The Living Bank
International in 1968.
Mrs. Karsten served as the first president
and chief executive officer. Before her death in
2002, she spoke
about the beginning of The Living Bank International.
In 1968, there was wide media coverage of the early transplants
by Dr. Denton Cooley
and his associates. Louise Johnson, asked
if Ms. Karsten knew of an organization through
which she could
arrange to donate any part of her body for transplant purposes.
To her
knowledge, there was no such organization. As a result,
Louise, Joan Anderson, Esther
Phillips, Marjorie Robertson and
Ms. Karsten decided to start one.
The next problem was money, but Ms. Karsten's husband
came offered seed money
from the Floyd L. Karsten, Jr.
Foundation. Once his interest was aroused, he became
an active participant by finding an office trailer to use
as the office. The Medical
Center Bank gave permission to
put the office on their land and, The Living Bank
opened.
What a huge decision that turned out to be!
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The Living Bank program was unique, so it was given broad coverage by the local and national media. Letters began arriving even before the office opened saying, "This is something I want to do, but I haven't known how to do it." Dr. Cooley, an early and strong supporter, helped choose our logo, the ancient Egyptian symbol for the Tree of Life. We printed a modest amount of material. Since then we have printed and distributed millions. |
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The Living Bank's first official donor registrant was a kidney transplant recipient, who got up from his bed at Hermann Hospital and walked slowly across the parking lot to the trailer to sign up. The Living Bank is the oldest and largest organ donor education organization in the United States. There are other groups and organizations that encourage organ and tissue donation. These include: |
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- State registries
- Other organ donor registries and groups which educate the public about organ donation.
- Organ Procurement Organizations, which are federally-franchised, actually procure donor organs by sending surgical teams into hospitals to procure and then deliver organs.
- Transplant centers located in authorized hospitals where actual organ transplants take place.
The Living Bank cooperates at every opportunity with each segment of the organ donor and transplant community; supporting any group or organization whose activities generate more committed organ donors or facilitate actual organ donation.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
As the only nationwide organ and tissue donor registry, we can take pride in our many accomplishments.
Also we are cognizant of the many challenges we still face before the day comes when no one will die because a donor organ was not available at the time of need. The Board and Staff of The Living Bank dedicate their efforts to increase the number of registered-informed donors.
The programs and services of The Living Bank are:
- The Living Donor Bank Program advocates and supports living donors before, during and after the donation process.
- Travel Stipend/Donor Support Program assists living donors in arranging transportation and provides stipends if they must travel to donate.
- Donor Education Program educates the public regarding the donation and use of organs and tissues and provide donor cards.
