Every individual has the right to sign up to donate their organs, eyes and tissues at the time of their death. Anyone can register. 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 95. Medical advances now allow people with chronic conditions, cancer, HIV and hepatitis to donate. Don’t rule yourself out – check the box.

Watch these videos:
Am I too old to donate?
Am I healthy enough to be a donor?

There is no cost to your family. If you decide to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, your family will NOT have to pay for any medical expenses associated with the donation.

All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and consider it a generous act of caring. Here you will find a 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 an organ, eye and tissue donor you are making a legal decision and, even after your death, your decision will be honored. It’s important to talk with your family so they can be prepared to honor your decision at the time of your death.

One person can save and heal more than 75 lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.

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. Factors such as blood type, body size, location, severity of illness and length of time on the waiting list are used to determine the best candidate for an organ.

These include:

• 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.