Anyone can express their desire to give "The Gift Of Life" by simply Registering with your State Registry. In most cases, this can be done online, or through your state Department of Motor Vehicles. The Most Important thing you can do is Talk to your Family! Make sure they know your wishes!
Who can be a donor?
Anyone who meets the suitability criteria for any organs or tissues, providing that their family members give consent, can be a donor. Suitability criteria varies depending on the organ or tissue and their condition at the time of death.
Who is my next-of-kin?
A spouse, adult child, parent, grandparent, adult sibling, guardian or other responsible person.
Can someone recover after being declared “brain dead,” ?
No. It is impossible to recover from brain death. Brain death should not be confused with coma or persistent vegetative state. Death can occur one of two ways: 1) When the heart and lungs stop functioning and 2) When the brain stops functioning. Brain death occurs when a person has irreversible, catastrophic brain injury, which causes brain activity to stop permanently. Heart and lung functions can only be maintained with the help of a mechanical ventilator.
My family members do not believe in donation. How can I make sure that I will be a donor?
The best thing you can do is stress to your loved ones how important it is to you to donate, and Register as an Organ and Tissue Donor!
Are there any costs or payments for donation?
The donor family is never billed for expenses related to the donation. Also, the donor family is not paid for any donations, as this would be a violation of federal and state laws.
How are funeral arrangements affected?
The recovery agency can give an estimated time frame for donation. The body is carefully reconstructed so that donation does not prohibit an open casket funeral.
Can an organ donor also be a tissue donor?
If a donor meets the criteria, organs and tissues can be taken at the same time. As many as 85 people can benefit from one tissue donor.
Can I be an organ donor if I have diabetes or another illness?
People with health problems may certainly donate if they are declared brain dead. Each organ will be closely evaluated to determine its viability.