Where do the donor livers come from?
Livers are donated, with the consent of the next of kin, from individuals who have brain death, usually as a result of a head injury or brain hemorrhage. When such a donor is identified, transplant centers are contacted through a computer network and arrangements are made to retrieve whatever organs may be donated. Frequently this involves a team from a transplant center flying to the donor hospital to remove the organs, and returning with them for the transplant operation.
