Donation Facts
Signing up to be a Donor will NOT
affect your Medical Care
Your commitment to donation will not interfere with
your medical care. Donation is only an option after all life-saving efforts have
been made and death has been declared.
Who Can be a Donor?
Almost anyone from birth and beyond can be an organ
and/or tissue donor. Individuals with medical problems, such as diabetes,
hepatitis, cancer, asthma or any other illness, may be able to donate and should
sign up as donors. A medical evaluation at the time of death will determine what
organs and/or tissue can be donated.
No Cost for Donation
There is no cost to the donor or donor's family for
the donation of organs or tissue. The donor’s estate or family is responsible
for medical expenses incurred before death and for funeral expenses.
Religious Support
All major religions in the U.S. support your
decision to help others and consider donation an unselfish act of charity.
Funeral Arrangements
Donation should not change or delay funeral
arrangements. An open casket funeral or cremation is possible.
Organs are NOT for Sale
It is illegal to buy or sell human organs and tissue
for transplant in the United States (Public Law 98-507). To ensure that organs
are given to the neediest recipients, federal agencies enforce strict guidelines
that regulate the organ distribution process.
Fair Distribution System
Organs are allocated to waiting recipients on the
national organ transplant list maintained by the United Network for Organ
Sharing (UNOS) based on medical factors such as blood type, size, medical
urgency and tissue match. Tissue is allocated to patients based on need, medical
criteria and availability. A person’s wealth or celebrity status does not impact
the allocation process.
Organ and Tissue that can be
Donated and Transplanted
|
Organ/Tissue |
Function |
How Will It Help
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Heart |
Pumps blood to all body systems
|
Patients suffering from cardiomyopathy, coronary
artery disease or infants born with defective hearts.
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Liver |
Energy regulation, makes protein, removes waste from
blood |
Patients suffering from Wilson's disease, cirrhosis,
other life-threatening liver disease, or infants born with biliary atresia.
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Kidneys |
Filters waste from blood |
Patients suffering from severe kidney failure caused
by conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or polycystic kidney
disease. A transplant eliminates the need for dialysis. |
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Lungs |
Organs of respiration
|
Patients suffering from emphysema, cystic fibrosis,
or other life-threatening lung diseases.
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Pancreas |
Makes enzymes needed for digestion, insulin
regulates blood sugars |
Insulin dependent Type I diabetic patients. A
transplant eliminates the need for insulin injections and reduces the risk of
losing sight or limbs. |
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Intestine |
Processes food ingested |
Patients suffering from short-gut syndrome and other
life-threatening intestine diseases. |
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Corneas |
Allows light to enter the eye |
Patients suffering from corneal blindness caused by
disease or injury. |
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Skin |
Protects body from infection, dehydration and injury |
Patients with severe burns. Skin grafts provide a
temporary bandage to decrease pain, infection, scarring and dehydration. |
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Bone |
Supports the body, protects vital organs |
Patients requiring facial reconstruction, limb
salvage, correction of birth defects, cancer treatment, oral surgery, or spinal
surgery. |
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Heart Valves |
Directs blood flow through the heart |
Patients requiring replacement of a malfunctioning
heart valve. A donated valve is preferred over a mechanical or pig valve. |
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Tendons |
Attaches muscles to bone |
Patients requiring reconstructive surgery, commonly
used in the treatment of sports injuries. |
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Veins |
Transports blood |
Patients requiring coronary artery by-pass surgery.
The donated veins are used to replace the patient's blocked arteries. |