Donate Life America (original) (raw)

Organ, eye and tissue donors save lives

Register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.

More than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Transplants rely on the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors, and there are not enough donors to meet the need. You can help.

8

Another person is added to the waiting list every 8 minutes.

16

16 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant.

75

One organ, eye and tissue donor can save and heal more than 75 lives.

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Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation FAQs

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissues can be donated.

A national system matches available organs from the donor with people on the waiting list based on blood type, body size, how sick they are, donor distance, tissue type and time on the list. Sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, race, income, celebrity and social status are never considered.

Deceased donation is the process of giving organs, corneas or tissues at the time of the donor’s death for the purpose of transplantation. Deceased donation can only occur after death has been declared by medical professionals who are not part of the donation and transplant process.

The state donor registry and National Donate Life Registry are searched securely online to determine if the patient has authorized donation. If the potential donor is not found in a registry, their next of kin or legally authorized representative is offered the opportunity to authorize the donation. Donation and transplantation professionals follow national policy to determine which organs can be transplanted and to which patients on the national transplant waiting list the organs are to be allocated. Read more about the deceased donation process.

There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.

If you registered in the National Donate Life Registry on DonateLife.net, RegisterMe.org, or in your iPhone Health App, please go to RegisterMe.org and click “Access Your Registration” to make changes to your donor registration record. If you registered through your DMV or Driver License Partner, you should have a heart or other symbol on your license. If you need to confirm or change your state registration, please reach out to your local contact. Learn more.

Your life always comes first. Doctors work hard to save every patient’s life, but sometimes there is a complete and irreversible loss of brain function. The patient is declared clinically and legally dead. Only then is donation an option.

Living organ donation offers another choice for some transplant candidates, reducing their time on the waiting list and leading to better long term outcomes for the recipient. Living tissue donation, birth tissue, is used to promote healing and to treat burns and painful wounds. Learn more about living donation.

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Ways to Support The Mission

Donate Life America’s work is not possible without financial support from people like you.
Make a financial contribution today to help save and heal lives.

Our Partners for Life

National DMV Appreciation Month recognizes the vital role of DMVs and Driver License Partners (DLPs) in saving and healing lives. DMV staff ask customers the donor registration question every day. Our DMV partners are the people on the front lines of service whose dedication has led to more than 170 million donor registrations in the United States. Join us in thanking our DMV partners for their incredible work saving lives through donation and transplantation!

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Stories of Hope

In Honor and in Memory

Adrian Joseph Jimenez

Son, you had an enthusiasm for life that shined in everything you did and a contagious smile you shared freely with everyone. Adrian, you gave generously while on this earthly journey and gave generously when you left. Your legacy continues through your gifts of life and the ones you continue to inspire. I continue to be your voice about organ, eye and tissue donation. Forever Loved – Forever Missed – Forever TwentyTwo, Forever In My Heart, Mom

Diane Bennett

Diane was a remarkable woman—compassionate, strong, devoted to her family, friends, and dogs. I am grateful for her friendship.

Diane Bennett

Diane was an amazing woman and friend. She so loved her family, her puppies, and her friends. I am so glad she was a part of my life.

Margaret Anderson

In honor and memory of my mom.