AI Summary TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization) began as a local support group in Pittsburgh after its founder's heart transplant in 1983, became a not-for-profit organization in 1987, and today has chapters across the United States and in Japan.
Source: TRIO, trioweb.org (November 2026)
Transplant support network
Lithia, Florida, with chapters across the United States and in Japan
A nonprofit support network for people waiting for or living with an organ transplant, including a liver transplant, and for their families.
LiverDirectory is not affiliated with TRIO. Details as listed on TRIO's website in November 2026.
Overview
TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization) is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization. Through its headquarters and a network of local chapters, it supports transplant candidates, transplant recipients, their families, and the families of organ and tissue donors.
TRIO is a nonprofit organization for people whose lives are touched by organ and tissue transplantation. It connects people before and after a transplant, so patients and families facing a transplant do not have to go through it alone.
What TRIO Does
TRIO describes its work in four areas: support, advocacy, education, and awareness.
TRIO supports transplant candidates, recipients, donors, and their families, and aims to ease the stress that can come with organ donation and transplantation. In each TRIO chapter, people who have received a transplant help support others who are waiting or recovering.
TRIO shares the concerns and needs of transplant candidates, recipients, their families, and donor families with federal, state, and local governments and with the public. Its website lists public policy resources for people who want to take part.
TRIO gives up-to-date information about organ and tissue donation, transplantation, medicines, social issues, finances, and government initiatives. Its website includes answers to common questions about transplants, myths and facts about organ donation, and a free children's book about transplants.
TRIO promotes organ and tissue donation as an important social responsibility, and it supports ways to make organs and tissues available to everyone who needs them.
Programs
Besides chapter meetings, TRIO lists several programs on its website. Ask TRIO about eligibility, costs, and current dates before you apply.
Chapters
In each TRIO chapter, people who have received a transplant help support candidates, recipients, and families. Most chapters meet in person or online on Zoom.
| Chapter | Where It Is Based |
|---|---|
| TRIO Austin | Austin, Texas |
| TRIO Central Texas | Temple, Texas |
| TRIO Kansas City | Bonner Springs, Kansas |
| TRIO Long Island | Garden City, New York |
| TRIO Maryland | Baltimore, Maryland |
| TRIO Northern Ohio | Cleveland, Ohio |
| TRIO Oklahoma | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| TRIO Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| TRIO San Francisco Bay Area | Cupertino, California |
| TRIO Japan | Tokyo, Japan |
Chapters as listed on TRIO's website in November 2026. Meeting times and chapter contacts change, so check TRIO's chapters page before you go.
For Liver Patients
TRIO is open to people facing any type of organ transplant, including a liver transplant. Waiting for a new liver, and recovering after one, can bring relief, worry, and hope all at once. Talking with people who have been through it can help.
In TRIO chapters, people who have received a transplant help support people who are waiting for one. They can share their own experience of the evaluation, the waiting list, and surgery.
Recipients can share how they handle daily life after a transplant. TRIO also publishes information about cancer risk after a liver transplant as part of its post-transplant cancer education.
TRIO also supports the families of transplant candidates and recipients, and it runs a Care Partner program for caregivers.
A support group adds to your medical care. It does not replace it. Bring questions about your medicines, your new liver, or your symptoms to your transplant team.
History
TRIO grew from one transplant recipient's local support group into an international organization.
Brian Reames received a heart transplant at Presbyterian University Hospital of Pittsburgh, now the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). He found little community support for transplant recipients, so he started a local support group: TRIO.
TRIO was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, so it could serve people as an independent organization with local chapters around the world.
TRIO had grown to almost 4,000 members and 46 chapters around the world.
TRIO is a smaller organization with active chapters across the United States and in Japan.
Contact
Details as listed on TRIO's website in November 2026.
17560 Buckingham Garden Drive, Lithia, FL 33547
To join, use the "Become a member" link on TRIO's website, and ask TRIO about membership costs and benefits.
Common questions
TRIO stands for Transplant Recipients International Organization. It is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization that supports transplant candidates, transplant recipients, their families, and the families of organ and tissue donors through support, advocacy, education, and awareness.
Yes. TRIO serves people facing any type of organ transplant, including a liver transplant, and their families. In its chapters, people who have received a transplant help support people who are waiting for one or recovering after one. Bring medical questions to your transplant team.
TRIO lists chapters in Austin and Temple, Texas; Bonner Springs, Kansas (Kansas City); Garden City, New York (Long Island); Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Cupertino, California (San Francisco Bay Area); and Tokyo, Japan. Most chapters meet in person or online on Zoom. Check TRIO's chapters page for current details.
Visit trioweb.org, call 1-813-800-TRIO (8746), or email info@trioweb.org. You can apply for membership through the "Become a member" link on TRIO's website.
TRIO started as a local support group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, founded by Brian Reames after his heart transplant in 1983. It was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1987.
No. LiverDirectory is an independent directory of liver health professionals and is not affiliated with TRIO. We describe TRIO as a resource for transplant patients and families and link to its official website.
Alongside your support group
Medical disclaimer: LiverDirectory provides educational information and a directory of providers. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician regarding any medical condition.
