Donation & Transplantation FAQs

 
 
 

What is National Donate Life Month (NDLM)?

A month to celebrate those who have received transplants, to recognize those who continue to wait, to honor donors and donor families, and to thank registered donors for giving hope.

What is National Donate Life Blue & Green Day?

A day when the public is encouraged to wear blue and green, share the Donate LifeTM mission and message, and work with local community partners to spread awareness about the Donate Life cause.

What is National Pediatric Transplant Week?

A week at the end of NDLM that offers donation and transplantation organizations the platform to talk about the powerful message of ending the pediatric waiting list, to share clinical partners’ innovative work and patient stories, and to honor donor families whose children have saved and healed lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.

Who can be a donor?

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential organ, eye and tissue donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Living donors should be in good overall physical and mental health and older than 18 years of age. Some medical conditions could prevent an individual from being a living donor. Transplant programs complete a full patient evaluation to protect both living donor and recipient health and safety.

Does registering as a donor change my patient care?

Your life always comes first. Doctors work hard to save every patient’s life, but sometimes there is a complete and irreversible loss of brain function. The patient is declared clinically and legally dead. Only then is donation an option.

Does my religion support organ, eye and tissue donation?

All major religions support donation as a final act of compassion and generosity.

Is there a cost to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?

There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.

Does my social and/or financial status play any part in whether I will receive an organ if I ever need one?

No. A national system matches available organs from the donor with people on the waiting list based on blood type, body size, how sick they are, donor distance, tissue type and time on the list. Race, income, gender, celebrity and social status are never considered.

Why should I register my decision to be a donor?

The vast majority of Americans support donation as an opportunity to give life and health to others. Unfortunately, many people overlook the important step of registering as a donor. Donors are often people who die suddenly and unexpectedly. Their families are then faced with making the decision at a time of shock and grief. Registering relieves your family of this burden.

You can save up to 8 lives and heal the lives of more than 75 people. Your registration serves as a symbol of hope to patients waiting, and sharing it with your family lets them know your decision.

To register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, please visit RegisterMe.org. For more information about organ, eye, tissue and living donation, please visit DonateLife.net.

Beth Ewing