Learn the Facts
Knowledge is power! When you have the facts about organ and tissue donation you can make a personal decision about donation that’s right for you. Below are frequently asked questions, organized by topic.
The Need
- Why should I register as an organ and tissue donor?
- What are the benefits of organ and tissue donation?
The Process
- What can be donated?
- Should my age or health condition affect my decision to be a donor?
- Will my family have to pay for the cost of my organ and/or tissue donation?
- Will my body look different if I donate my organs and tissues?
- Does my religion support organ and tissue donation?
- How are organs distributed to patients waiting for organ transplants?
- If I am a registered donor and I am admitted to a hospital, will they let me die so they can recover my organs?
- Is there a “black market” for organs in the United States?
- Do the rich and famous have a better chance of receiving a transplant?
- Will the identity of the organ donor be revealed to the transplant recipient?
- Why should minorities be especially concerned?
Taking Action
The Need
Why should I register as an organ and tissue donor?
There are people in your community who are waiting for a life‐saving organ transplant and you have the power to help them. More than 2,600 of our neighbors in the Upper Midwest are waiting for a transplant and the situation nationally is even more desperate, with over 100,000 people waiting for a transplant and nearly 18 people dying each day for lack of an organ.
What are the benefits of organ and tissue donation?
Families who make the decision to extend the gift of life often find that donation helps them in their grieving process. Donation is something positive that can come from the death of a loved one. One person can save or enhance up to 60 lives through organ and tissue donation.
The Process
Organs: Heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver and intestines.
Tissue: Corneas, skin, veins, tendons, bone, heart valves and connective tissue.
Should my age or health condition affect my decision to be a donor?
No. Almost everyone can save lives through donation! Age and health criteria are evaluated on an individual basis at the time of death. Most health conditions do not exclude you from being a donor, and people of all ages ‐ from just a few days old to well into their 90’s ‐ have given the gift of life through donation.
Will my family have to pay for the cost of my organ and/or tissue donation?
There is no cost to the donor family for donation. All expenses related to organ and tissue donation are paid by LifeSource and passed on to the transplant recipients and their health insurers.
Will my body look different if I donate my organs and tissues?
Donation is a surgical procedure. As in any other medical procedure, the body is treated with great respect and dignity. Donation does not prevent an open-casket funeral service.
Does my religion support organ and tissue donation?
All major religions support organ and tissue donation as one of the highest forms of loving, giving and caring – the principles upon which all religions are based. Religious views on donation.
How are organs distributed to patients waiting for organ transplants?
Every person waiting for an organ transplant is registered with UNOS, the United Network for Organ Sharing. The organ procurement organization works with UNOS to fairly allocate organs based upon medical urgency, genetic matching and length of time waiting.
If I am a registered donor and I am admitted to a hospital, will they let me die so they can recover my organs?
Absolutely not. The first responsibility of medical professionals is to save lives, and every effort will be made to save your life before donation is even considered. Organ and tissue donation is an option only after all life-saving measures have failed.
Is there a “black market” for organs in the United States?
It is illegal to buy or sell human organs and tissues in the United States (Anatomical Gift Act of 1968). In addition, every organ and tissue donation and transplant is reviewed by a national governing body. Strict regulations prevent any type of "black market" from existing in the United States.
Can the rich and famous jump the list based on their celebrity status?
No. After a patient has been determined to be a medically-suitable candidate for an organ transplant, their name is added to the national computer waiting list managed by UNOS. Organs are fairly allocated based on medical criteria, genetic matching, and length of time on the waiting list.
Will the identity of the organ donor be revealed to the transplant recipient?
The identities of both the recipient and the donor family are confidential. LifeSource sends a letter to the donor family informing them about the organ recipients such as their age and gender, and how their health has improved. Some donor families and recipients correspond anonymously. On occasion, when both sides wish to correspond directly or meet, LifeSource will help facilitate the communication or meeting.
Why should minorities be especially concerned?
Some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver are found more frequently in racial and ethnic minority populations. Transplantation between people who are strong genetic matches is generally more successful. Recipients have a better chance of finding a match from their same racial group. Approximately 50 percent of all people on the waiting list are minorities while only 25 percent of all donors are minorities.
Taking Action
How do I register to be an organ and tissue donor?
You can register to be a donor by checking the box on your driver’s license or ID card application. People in Minnesota and North Dakota can also register online, and South Dakotans can register by mail. Click here to for more details.
What if I haven’t registered as a donor?
If you haven’t documented a decision about donation and have the opportunity to save lives through donation at the time of your death, LifeSource will ask your family to make a decision about donation on your behalf. Therefore, it is extremely important that you discuss your wishes with your family.
