• All people can become donors regardless of age or medical history. Your medical condition at the time of death determines what tissue and organs can be donated. Sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, religion and income are never considered.

  • Doctors prioritize saving lives. Donation is only considered after a patient experiences complete, irreversible brain function loss and is legally and clinically declared dead. Only then, does donation become an option.

  • Yes, medical professionals will assess suitability for donation after death.

  • All major religions consider donation to be an individual decision, or support it as a final act of generosity toward others.

  • If you’re over 18 and signed up as a deceased donor in your state registry, you have legally given permission for your donation. No one can change your consent. Signing a card isn't enough. If you’re under 18, your parents or legal guardian must give permission for your donation.

  • After death is declared, state and national donor registries are securely searched. If unregistered, next of kin may authorize donation. Professionals determine transplantable organs & match them to waiting recipients based on blood type, condition, distance and more.

  • All costs are incurred by the organ procurement organization, allowing donors and their families to be held responsible for any costs related to donation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Organ Donation (FAQ)

    • Eight vital organs: heart, kidneys (2), pancreas, lungs (2), liver, intestines, hands, and face

    • Tissue: cornea, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels, and connective tissue

    • Bone marrow and stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC)

  • There is no set age limit on organ donation, as each potential donor is evaluated at the time of their death to determine which organs and tissues may be suitable for donation.

  • No. Arrangements of your choice are possible. Your body is treated with great care and respect throughout the entire donation process. Organ and tissue donation do not delay or prevent an open-casket funeral.

  • Organ donors and recipients of different races and ethnicities can and do match. Still, a more diverse donor pool gives every person a better chance to find a donor.

    Matches are based on blood and tissue type, which are inherited. That's why matches are more likely when donors and recipients share a racial or ethnic background.

  • More than half of all people on the transplant waiting list are from a racial or ethnic minority group. Some diseases that cause end-stage organ failure are more common in these groups of people.

    For example, Black, Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino adults are three times more likely than white people to suffer from end-stage kidney disease, often as the result of high blood pressure.

    Native American adults are four times more likely than white adults to suffer from diabetes. An organ transplant is sometimes the best, and sometimes the only option for saving a life.

  • Organs are donated to people who were born with or developed diseases that result in organ failure. Less than 5% of people awaiting transplants have destroyed their organs through substance abuse, and must reach & sustain sobriety prior to receiving a donation.