What is an Organ Donation? How does organ donation work? These are all common questions that we will answer below:

Organ and tissue donation is a choice that can be made before death by simply registering with the appropriate state agencies. States have adopted programs that specify donation on driver’s licenses. If a person plans on donating organs, this information is readily available, being that the driver’s license is one of the most prevalent forms of identification. For an example click here

If the deceased has not pre-planned to donate, it is possible to donate post mortem, including full body donations to universities or research organizations.

Organs that can be donated include:

• Heart
• Kidneys
• Pancreas
• Lungs
• Liver
• Intestines

Tissues that can be donated include:

• Cornea
• Skin
• heart valves
• Bone
• blood vessels and connective tissue
• Ligaments
• veins

Bone marrow/stem cells, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) can also be donated

The time between death and donation is 4 to 36 hours for most organs and tissues. Surgery is scheduled as soon as possible. After donation, the body is released to a funeral home or family member.

The approximate maximum time for harvesting the following organs/tissues is:

• Lung (4-6 hours)
• Heart (4-6 hours)
• Liver (24 hours)
• Pancreas (24 hours)
• Kidney (72 hours)
• Corneas (14 days)
• Bone (5 years)
• Skin (5 years)
• Heart valves (10 years)

All post mortem donations are free for the donor.

To Learn More:

http://www.organtransplants.org/

http://www.dcids.org/

https://www.unos.org/

http://www.mtf.org/