Organ, Tissue and Body Donation

There are several ways to donate an organ or the body.  

You can:

• Designate your decision to donate on your driver's license when you obtain or renew the license. It is the first place emergency personnel look to determine whether they should take steps to preserve the body for donation. Until you change your driver's license, you can obtain a card which you carry with you. For instance, see: www.organdonor.gov/donor/index.htm
• Organ donor cards may be available from your local hospital, or from the local or state office of your non-profit disease specific organization.
• Register with the state in which you live. To learn more, see: donatelife.net/CommitToDonation/index.php
• By a statement in your Living Will or Healthcare Power of Attorney.
• Enter into a contract with a health facility to receive the body.

If you use multiple approaches, such as including the donation on your driver's license and in your Living Will and/or Healthcare Power of Attorney, it will increase the likelihood of the donation(s) taking place.

Discuss your desire to make a donation with your family or loved ones. Even if you sign a donation card, your family will be consulted before an organ or tissue donation occurs. It is unlikely that your wishes will be honored in the event that someone in your family raises an objection.

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