In the United States, there are only 124 liver transplant centers. Patients who need a liver most often must wait for an undetermined amount of time since so many factors affect the matching of donors.

When you are in need of a transplant, the transplant center will, after a qualification evaluation, add your name to the National Waiting List computer. The computer, located at United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS - unos.org) stores and primarily accesses the information for donor matching. When an organ is donated, a list of potential receipents that match the organ is produced by the database.

The potiential recipients are listed in an order of priority based on specified criteria. The order of priority is determined by factors such as medical urgency, tissue typing, time waiting, height and weight of the candidate, size of the organ, geographic location of the donor organ in relation to the location of the recipient and more. Gender, religion, celebrity or financial status are NEVER criteria in determination.

In addition, to the factors listed above, your Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, (MELD) score also will affect your waiting time on a transplant list. The MELD is a numerical scale, ranging from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill), that is used for adult liver transplant candidate listings. It gives each individual a 'score' (number) based on how urgently he or she needs a liver transplant. The number is calculated by a formula using routine lab test results.

Transplantation has saved and enhanced the lives of more than 300,000 people in the United States. It is the leading form of treatment for many forms of end-stage organ failure. The wait list is a significant decision factor in the choosing of a center.