Get the Facts
know the facts about organ donation
If signing up to be an organ donor only takes 30 seconds, why don’t more people do it? Unfortunately, many myths about organ donation stop people from registering to become donor heroes.
Truth: Paramedics, doctors and nurses are committed to doing everything possible to save your life.
The medical staff is completely separate from the transplant team. Transplant surgeons are called only after all efforts to save a life have been exhausted. Learn more about the donation process.
Truth: Wealth, social status and race are not considered when deciding who will receive an available organ.
The computerized system matches recipients based on blood and tissue typing, organ size, medical urgency, waiting time and geographic location.
Truth: Tell your family now that you want to be an organ and tissue donor.
If they only find out when your will is read, it will be too late to honor your wishes.
Truth: Anyone can decide to be a donor regardless of age or health.
In fact, the oldest organ donor in the U.S. was 98. Your ability to donate is determined at the time of death.
Truth: Donation should not interfere with customary funeral plans, including those with open-casket viewings.
Doctors maintain dignity and respect for the donor at all times.
Truth: You can sign up to become an organ donor at any time.
You don’t need to get a driver’s license or permit. You don’t even need to be able to drive. Register now
Truth: All major religions support organ donation, considering it a generous act that is the individual’s choice.
Contrary to common beliefs, all major religions support organ donation, viewing it as a generous and compassionate act.
Truth: Organs are matched by many factors including blood type, medical urgency and time on the waiting list.
A patient’s age, gender, race, ethnicity or wealth does not affect who receives available organs. It’s especially important for minorities to sign up to be organ donors as they constitute more than half of the people currently on the organ transplant waiting list, and patients are more likely to find matches among donors of their same race or ethnicity. Learn more about minorities and organ donation.
Truth: There are no costs to the donor’s family for donation.
It is also free to sign up to become an organ donor or to have it included on your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. Sign up to be an organ donor.
Truth: Federal law prohibits buying and selling organs in the United States.
Violators are punishable by prison sentences and fines.
Truth: Information about the donor is released to the recipient only if the donor’s family requests or agrees to It.
Otherwise, the strictest confidence of patient privacy is maintained for both donor families and recipients.