Established in 1968, The Living Bank served as the nations’ first organ donor registry and the first provider of organ donation and transplantation education in the United States. Physicians around the world were beginning to understand that transplantation of human organs was a life-saving medical procedure for many types of organ failure.

Inspired by famed heart surgeon Denton Cooley, five Houston women, realizing no formal way to donate organs existed, saw a need for a donor registry that would allow medical professionals to match organs with those who needed a second chance at life.

Over the years, we have emerged as an important contributor to the health and well being of our community. Because of the dramatic, ever-increasing rise in the number of people needing a transplant, we focus on living organ donation – providing critical information, support, and advocacy that can reduce wait times from years to months.

By helping to shrink the gap between the number of available organs and those who need a transplant, The Living Bank is transforming lives and bringing hope to recipients and their families.