The Need

• Currently there are around 100,000 people waiting for organs in the U.S.
• Every 14 minutes another person is added to the national waiting list for organs.
• One third of the people waiting for organs will die before they receive a transplant.
• Of the 25,000 people who die of a brain death each year (and could donate organs), only 5,500 donate.

What organs and tissues can be transplanted?
All the vital organs in the body can be transplanted which includes: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and the small intestine. Tissues include the cornea or eye, bone, skin, cartilage, ligaments, veins and heart valves.

Who can be an organ and/or tissue donor?
Everyone should consider himself or herself a potential organ and tissue donor. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissues can be donated. Organs are recovered from individuals who are "brain dead," meaning their brain and brainstem have died. They have usually suffered a severe trauma or blow to the head, such as an aneurysm or a gunshot wound. The individual is in an intensive care unit at a hospital and every measure possible is made to save their life. A series of tests are performed by a neurospecialist to determine brain death. Brain death is death—it is not reversible. Organs can only be recovered from individuals who are brain dead, or in some cases who die a cardiac death—meaning that their heart has stopped beating. Organ donors can also donate tissue. The only disease that completely eliminates you from being an organ or tissue donor is HIV or AIDS.

How are organs and tissues recovered?
At the time of death, organ and tissue donation is offered to the next-of-kin. Once consent has been obtained, the donation process is set into motion. Tissues are recovered up to 24 hours after death in a hospital operating room by trained technicians. The tissues are recovered and prosthetic devices are put in place to maintain the form of the body. The body is carefully reconstructed and returned to the hospital morgue whereupon the funeral home that the family has selected picks up the body. The tissues are stored in freezers until all of the quality assurance tests come back verifying that no diseases are present. Once all quality assurance measures are approved, the tissue is then processed into grafts for distribution to clinicians.
Organ donation is a more difficult process because organs have to be matched with individuals waiting on the national waiting list. Once the organs have been placed, the organs are surgically removed in a hospital operating room. Surgeons and their assistants recover each organ in a specific order. The surgeons return to the transplant center and transplant the organ into the awaiting recipient. Due to specific time limits, some organs, such as the kidneys, can be properly packaged and sent on a commercial airline to their destination, while other organs must be transported more urgently. For example, the heart can only be outside the body for 4 hours before being transplanted, but kidneys can be outside the body for up to 48 hours before being transplanted. Every test that is available is performed to ensure the safety of the organs and tissues.

Will my decision to donate interfere with my own health care?
No! Health care institutions are there to help you. It would make no sense for them to "kill you off"' for your organs and tissues. The donor program only comes into play once death has been declared. There is no conflict of interest between the individuals declaring death and the donor program. Medical personnel must follow strict guidelines before they can pronounce death and remove organs and tissues.

Do I need to mention organ and tissue donation in my will?
No. Your will may be read too late to make donation possible.

Who pays for transplants?
The transplant recipient's health insurance or federal funds may cover the cost of the transplant. Ultimately, the transplant recipient is responsible for the transplant. The donor's family does not pay any of the cost.

Can we be paid for donating organs?
No. Organ donation is a gift. The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 prohibits the buying and selling of human organs.

What do religious groups think about organ and tissue donation?
Most major religions in the U.S. support organ and tissue donation. If you have concerns about your religion's position, talk with a member of the clergy. For more information see our Religious Issues page.

Who will receive my donated organs?
Potential recipients are identified using the UNOS national computer system. The computer generates a list of patients ranked according to strict medical criteria, urgency of need and time waiting. Donor and recipient identity is confidential, although some basic information is shared.

How do I become a donor?
Indicate your wish when renewing your driver’s license.   Most importantly, share your decision with family members so they can assist recovery staff.