Deceased Donation
The vast majority of transplants come from organs or parts of organs that are donated at the time of the donor’s death. Because there is a shortage of available organs and an ever-lengthening waiting list, most people have to wait years for a transplant.
For an individual to become a donor, blood and oxygen must flow through the organ until the time it is recovered. This requires that the potential donor die under circumstances in which an irreparable neurological injury has occurred typically massive brain trauma such as a stroke, heart attack, or car accident.
Anyone can be a donor, regardless of their age, race, or medical history, and all major religions in the United States support organ donations.
If you register as an organ donor you could:
- Save up to 8 lives with your vital organs
- Restore sight to 2 people with your cornea
- Heal the lives of 75 people with your bone and skin tissue