Researchers began experimenting with organ transplantation on animals and humans in the 18th century. Over the years, scientists have experienced many failures, but by the mid-20th century, they were performing successful organ transplants. Transplants of kidneys, livers, hearts, pancreata, intestine, lungs, and heart-lungs are now considered routine medical treatment.

In the last 20 years, important medical breakthroughs such as tissue typing and immunosuppressant drugs have allowed for a larger number of organ transplants and a longer survival rate for transplant recipients. The most notable development in this area was Jean Borel's discovery of an immunosuppressant drug called Cyclosporine in the mid-1970s. This drug was approved for commercial use in November 1983.

Unfortunately, the need for organ transplants continues to exceed the supply of organs. But as medical technology improves and more donors become available, the number of people who live longer and healthier lives continues to increase each year.

Transplant Milestones in the United States and Canada

1954	First successful kidney transplant* Dr. Joseph E. Murray, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
1966	First successful pancreas/kidney transplant Drs. Richard Lillehei, William Kelly, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
1967	First successful liver transplant* Dr. Thomas Starzl, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
1968	First isolated pancreas transplant Dr. Richard Lillehei, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
1968	First successful heart transplant Dr. Norman Shumway, Stanford University Hospital, Stanford, CA
1981	First successful heart-lung transplant Dr. Bruce Reitz, Stanford University Hospital, Stanford, CA
1983	First successful single lung transplant* Dr. Joel Cooper, Toronto Lung Transplant Group, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Canada
1986	First successful double lung transplant* Dr. Joel Cooper, Toronto Lung Transplant Group, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Canada
1989	First successful living-related liver transplant Dr. Christoph Broelsch, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
1990	First successful living-related lung transplant Dr. Vaughn A. Starnes, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA
*Transplant was the first of its kind in the world