Know the Facts About Organ and Tissue Donation
Choosing to be an organ and tissue donor is an important decision. The more you learn about it, the more likely it is you will understand why it’s so important. Here are some important facts about organ donation and transplantation. Take a few minutes to arm yourself with information and consider signing up now to do your part. Just remember, every statistic represents a person—a mom, dad, brother, sister or child—who either needs your help or has helped someone else by donating.
Why You Should Register To Be An Organ and Tissue Donor
One organ and tissue donor can save up to 8 lives and help more than 75 people.
Anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be a donor.
All major religions in the United States support organ and tissue donation and consider donation as a final act of love and generosity toward others.
There is no cost to donors or their families for organ or tissue donation.
It’s so easy; it only takes 30 seconds.
Organ and Tissue Donation Facts in the United States
20 people die every day because a donor wasn’t found in time.
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Every 10 minutes, another person who needs a transplant is added to the national waiting list. -
Right now, more than 118,000 men, women and children are waiting for an organ transplant that can save their lives. - More than 4,000 new transplant candidates are added to the waiting list each month.
- Each day, an average of 92 Americans receive a life-saving organ transplant, and thousands more benefit from cornea and tissue transplants.
Organ and Tissue Donation Facts In Pennsylvania
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4.6 million people have said "yes" to organ and tissue donation by adding the donor designation to their driver’s license, learner's permit or state identification card. But this represents only half of those eligible to register, so we have a lot of work left to do.
Help spread the word about organ donation. - More than 8,000 people wait for a life-saving organ transplant. Thousands more wait for tissue transplants that would greatly enhance their quality of life.
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African-Americans make up 12 percent of the state’s population, but represent nearly 35 percent of Pennsylvanians waiting for organ transplants.
Learn more about minorities and organ donation.
