Be an Organ Donor

Many people who need transplants of organs and tissues cannot get them because of a shortage of donations. Every month, more than 2,000 new names are added to the national waiting list for organ transplants, and about 18 people die every day while waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S. Organ and tissue donation helps others by giving them a second chance at life.

Deceased Donation

Identifying yourself as an organ and/or tissue donor is simple. Simply visit the Donate Life America website at www.donatelife.net and choose your state of residence to learn about the options in your area, which might include:

• Join your state's online registry for donation, if one is available.
• Declare your intentions on your driver's license.
• Sign a donor card, which is available at the bottom of this web page.

Signing a donor card, registry or driver's license is a good first step in designating your wishes about donation, but letting your family or other loved one's know about your decision is vitally important. That's because family members are often asked to give consent for a loved one's donation, so it's important that they know your wishes.

Living Donation

You can also consider being a living kidney donor. Living donation takes place when a living person donates an organ or part of an organ to someone in need of a transplant. The donor is most often a close family member, such as a parent, child, brother or sister. A donor can also be a more distant family member, spouse, friend or co-worker. Non-directed donors - those who donate anonymously and do not know their recipients - are also becoming more common. Click here to learn more about living kidney donation.

Religion and Organ Donation

Virtually all religious denominations approve of organ and tissue donation as representing the highest humanitarian ideals and the ultimate charitable act.

For more information, visit the A to Z Guide.