North Tonawanda High School

Unyts is the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization for the eight counties of WNY. Unyts works to assist donor families, coordinate the donation process and increase knowledge and awareness within the community regarding transplantation. Unyts had 1,214 organ, eye, and tissue donors in 2017 who potentially saved & enhanced over 90,000 lives.

Unyts routinely has helped to secure higher rates of donation in Western New York than the national average. When approached following the death of a loved-one for organ donation, Western New York families are very generous. In 2017 the Unyts authorization rate was 76%– the national average was 63.2%. Due to these numbers, Unyts is ranked as one of the top procurement organizations nationwide.

The Unyts Community Blood Service was started in 2007 under the premise that local hospitals had long been seeking an alternative with regard to obtaining blood. A subsequent feasibility study found that a community blood bank organized through Unyts was the best alternative. Since the inception of the blood program Unyts has had over 211,000 presenting blood donors.

Today, Unyts' blood center has become an integral part of WNY's medical community, providing the best blood products possible when area hospitals are in need. Unyts is able to react and quickly and efficiently provide blood needed to save someone's life. Unyts is the primary supplier of blood products to Kaleida Health, ECMC, Brooks Memorial Hospital, TLC Health Network, Eastern Niagara Health System, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Wyoming County Community Health System. This accounts for over 60% of the blood needs in WNY.

The organization's network and success have gone hand-in-hand, and as a result, Unyts has been able to spread the message that donation is vital – and donation saves lives. Unyts is currently headed by President & CEO Mark Simon, and Chair of the Board of Directors David Carlson.

*As of January 1, 2012, Unyts operates under, d/b/a Unyts, WNY's only Organ, Eye, Tissue and Community Blood Center. We are no longer Upstate NY Transplant Services.