Inspire hearts and minds to save lives
Every action matters. LifeSource and its partners need your collaboration to save lives on the organ transplant waiting list.
We remain eager to be a resource for you – whether to help with a constituent in need, to answer your questions or provide feedback on relevant legislation. Please contact our team:
- Susan Mau Larson, Chief Administrative Officer, at smlarson@life-source.org
- Erin Hauer, External Communications Specialist, at ehauer@life-source.org
Discover advocacy efforts in Minnesota
The Minnesota legislature has continually supported donation on a bipartisan basis since 2014. Past legislative highlights include:
- Donation information included in driver’s education: State law mandates that 30 minutes of education is included in driver’s education classes. LifeSource provides materials and curriculum, free of charge, for instructors to meet this mandate.
- You & $2 program: Minnesotans can contribute $2 or more when they apply for or renew their license, ID card or motor vehicle tabs. Programs supported include an updated, mobile-friendly donor registry, youth education, media awareness and more.
- Talk Donation: This legislatively appropriated funding was managed by the Minnesota Department of Health and supported a program between LifeSource and Minnesota transplant centers to increase support for donation among the American Indian community.
- Donor registration on the hunting and fishing license: Minnesota led the nation by becoming the first state to allow for donor registration on hunting and fishing licenses.
Current legislative priorities
If you are interested in learning more or supporting any of these initiatives, please contact Erin Hauer at ehauer@life-source.org or a member of the Stinson team.
Status: In draft with House Research
The concept: Minnesotans planning to apply for or renew a driver’s license would have the opportunity to receive a 50% discount, if they complete a 1 hour of organ donation education – offered via online video or in-person.
A little information goes a long way. People across the country are experiencing a wide disparity between perceived knowledge and actual experience of the organ donation process. There is no existing program like this in the United States; Minnesota would be the first state to implement.
Status: In draft with House Research
LifeSource supports an in-progress draft relating to health education classes, requiring organ donation as a subject area for ninth graders.
This legislation was brought forward by a passionate transplant recipient, with support by Representative Matt Norris.
Status: Introduced in 2024
Check out these resources to help get you started
Get the facts about how donation happens
Organ donation is a rare, complex process and many people wonder how it works. Learn more about how it works, including the role of organ procurement organizations, their vital partnership with transplant centers across the country, and how families are supported every step of the way.
Do you have more questions about organ donation?
Check out these frequently asked questions and contact us if you need more information.
Everyone has the right to sign up to donate their organs, eyes and tissues at the time of their death. Your age or health does not prevent you from registering. Most health conditions do not prevent donation and age is not a factor – the oldest organ donor was 98! Medical advances now allow people with chronic conditions, cancer, HIV and hepatitis to donate. Don’t rule yourself out – register today!
Watch these videos:
Am I too old to donate?
Am I healthy enough to be a donor?
One person can save and heal more than 75 lives through organ, eye and tissue donation!
All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and consider it a generous act of caring. Check out this list of the major religions practiced in the United States and their position on donation.
Watch this video:
Which religions support organ, eye and tissue donation?
When you register as a donor you are making a legal decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues to help others after your death. It also means your decision will be honored. It’s important to talk with your family and loved ones so they can be prepared to support your choice at the time of your death.
Registering as a donor in the national donor registry authorizes organ, eye and tissue donation for transplant. You may also authorize donation for research and education and / or list any existing registration with a specific research program on the Access Your Registration page on the registry website. You can list specific research program information under Donation Specifications.
What can be donated:
- Organs: Heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines
- Tissues: Eyes / corneas, heart valves, bone and associated tissue, skin, veins and arteries, nerves
When it comes to waiting for an organ transplant, we are all created equal. Wealthy or famous individuals cannot and do not get bumped up higher on the national transplant waiting list. The waiting list is actually a pool of people that takes into account many factors, such as:
- Blood type
- Body size
- Severity of patient’s medical condition
- Distance between the donor’s hospital and the patient’s hospital
- The patient’s waiting time
- Whether the patient is healthy enough for surgery
Yes. If you are taken to the hospital after an accident or injury, it is the hospital’s number one priority to save YOUR life. Your status as a donor is not even considered until every effort has been made to try to save your life. To even be considered for donation, a patient must be on a ventilator and either declared brain dead or suffer cardiac death.
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