Eurotransplant has been founded in 1967 by Prof. Dr. Jon van Rood (1926-2017) and is an international organ-exchange organization that covers Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, and Slovenia. Partners in the organ-exchange process include transplant hospitals, tissue-typing laboratories, hospitals where organ donations take place and national competent authorities. The Eurotransplant region has a population of approx. 135 million people. As mediator between donor and recipient, Eurotransplant plays a key role in the allocation and distribution of donor organs for transplantation. The mission statement and goals of Eurotransplant express the foundation's main target: to ensure an optimal use of available donor organs. The allocation system is based upon medical en ethical criteria. Through conducting and facilitating scientific research, Eurotransplant aims at a constant improvement of transplant outcomes.