Surgery is the easier part of the battle, while the danger to the patient after surgery -- the immune system's natural tendency to "reject" the implanted organ -- has been a much more difficult and challenging area to conquer. Over the past thirty-five years, two generations of surgeons and scientists have attempted to unravel the secret of "immunosuppression," with as yet limited success. In addition to the surgeons and researchers, nurses, social workers, and procurement coordinators have contributed generously to early pioneering efforts. But it is the patients -- recipients of heart, kidney, and liver transplants -- who should be singled out for their courage. - Introduction.