Frequently asked questions
Donor Registration:
- What is a Donor Registry?
- How can I join my State's Donor Registry?
- Who may sign up on a Donor Registry?
- Is my information in a Donor Registry secure?
- What if I change my mind?
- Can my family go against my wishes to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?
Donation & Transplantation
- Will my medical care be affected if people know I am a donor?
- Is there anyone who is not allowed to donate?
- What organs and tissues can I donate?
- Do I have to die to save lives through donation?
- How does the donation process work?
- Is it true that rich and famous people are more likely to get organ, eye and tissue transplants?
- How much will organ, eye and tissue donation cost my family?
- Does my religion support donation?
- Will organ, eye and tissue donation delay or change funeral plans?
- Can I sell my organs, eyes or tissues?
- Can my organs be used if I die at home?
- Can I be an organ, eye and tissue donor and also donate my body to science?
Q. What is a Donor Registry?
A. A Donor Registry is a secure and confidential state-wide database listing everyone who has indicated their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. The donor database is accessible only to authorized employees of organ, eye and tissue procurement agencies. It is not accessible to hospital personnel.
Q. How can I join my State's Donor Registry?
Visit www.donatelife.net
Q. Who may sign up on a Donor Registry?
A. It depends on the State. For example, in Oregon and Washington individuals at least 15 years old can put a donor code on their driver's license/permit/ID and by law do not need parent/guardian permission to do so. People age 13 years and older can sign up online.
Until a person turns 18, the consent of a parent or legal guardian is required for the individual to actually become a donor.
Find our how it works in your State by visiting www.donatelife.net.
Q. Is my information in a Donor Registry secure?
A. Yes. All personal information is kept confidential. The law prohibits donor registry information from being sold or shared with any company or government agency. Your information is stored in a secure database, accessible only to authorized organ, eye and tissue recovery personnel. It is not accessible to hospital personnel.
Q. What if I change my mind?
A. Those who sign up online may remove their name from the Donor Registry, alter their personal information, or change donation preferences at any time. If you signed up through DMV, all changes must be made at DMV, unless otherwise noted.
Q. Can my family go against my wishes to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?
A. No. However, in some States, if the deceased person is under 18 years old, the legal next of kin assumes responsibility for the decision to donate. Therefore, it is very important to discuss your decision with your family.
Q. Will my medical care be affected if people know I am a donor?
A. Never! Your commitment to donation will not interfere with your medical care. If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Furthermore, organ, eye and tissue recovery happens only after all life-saving efforts have been exhausted and death has been legally declared.
Q. Is there anyone who is not allowed to donate?
A. Do not rule yourself out due to age or health! People of all ages and medical histories – even those with diabetes, cancer, or hepatitis C – should consider themselves potential organ donors. The circumstances of death and your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs, eyes and tissue can be donated. Each case is evaluated individually.
Q. What organs and tissues can I donate?
A. Heart * Liver * Small Intestine * Kidneys * Lungs * Pancreas * Bone * Eyes/Corneas * Skin * Heart Valves & Associated Cardiovascular Tissue * Connective Tissues
Q. Do I have to die to save lives through donation?
A. No. There are many ways to donate and save lives through living donation.
Q. How does the donation process work?
A. Donors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure their organs and tissues are medically suitable for transplant. After this evaluation, organs and tissues receive further testing before they are approved for transplantation.
Q. Is it true that rich and famous people are more likely to get organ, eye and tissue transplants?
A. No. Everyone on the national organ transplant waiting list is registered with a national computer network that matches donor organs with potential recipients. Criteria such as blood and tissue type, body size, geographic location and medical urgency determine recipients. No one can advance their position on the waiting list based on income, social position or race.
Q. How much will organ, eye and tissue donation cost my family?
A. It costs nothing to donate, and no costs are passed on to a donor's family or estate. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.
Q. Does my religion support donation?
A. All major religions practiced in the U.S. support donation as a charitable act.
Q. Will organ, eye or tissue donation delay or change funeral plans?
A. No. Donation typically causes no delay or change in funeral arrangements. An open-casket funeral remains an option after donation.
Q. Can I sell my organs, eyes or tissues?
A. It is against federal law to receive or offer money for human organs or tissues in the U.S.
Q. Can my organs be used if I die at home?
A. No. Organs can be donated only by individuals who die in a hospital of brain death, or in some cases, seriously brain-injured patients can donate organs after cardiac death. However, tissue and eye donation can occur when someone dies at home within 24 hours of death. Your family needs to tell the medical personnel and funeral home of the desire to donate.
Q. Can I be an organ, eye and tissue donor and also donate my body to science?
A. If you are an organ and tissue donor, you will not be accepted for whole body donation. However, eye donors can still donate their body to science. Whole body donation should be arranged in advance by completing additional forms.
