Organ Donating Facts

Donating your organs gives others a second chance. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 80 people each day receive organ transplants. However, thousands more never find a suitable organ. By becoming an organ donor you can save lives.

Documentation

• Documentation includes carrying a donor card or indicating on your driver's license that you would like to be an organ donor. Each state has different procedures. To make sure your wishes are carried out, check with your physician, hospital or lawyer. Make your intentions known to family in advance to improve the chances your organs will be donated. Give a copy of your organ donor documentation to your physician to be included with your medical records.

Time Frame

• All attempts will be made to use donated organs. Prior to removal, organs will be matched with an organ beneficiary. However, it is not known if the organ will be able to be used successfully until surgery is performed. Once removed, organs must be used within a certain amount of time. Hearts and lungs have a life of up to six hours after being removed; livers, pancreases and intestines must be used within 24 hours; kidneys must be transplanted within 48 hours. If an organ can not be used in a successful transplant, the organ can be donated for research. For organs to be used in research, the next-of-kin must give written permission.

Age Does Not Matter

• There is no minimum age to be an organ donor. All that matters is the condition of the organs. Physicians will examine you to establish if donation is an option. People under age 18 will need consent from a parent or guardian.

Living Donor

• You don't have to die to donate your organs. According to OrganDonor.gov, approximately 6,000 living donations occur annually. Usually living donations occur between relatives and close friends. A living donor can contribute an extra kidney or portions of their liver, pancreas or intestines. A person who becomes a living donor needs to be over 18 and in good physical condition. Being a living donor does put you at risk, because you are undergoing surgery.

Funeral Arrangements

• If you donate your organs, your family can still have an open-casket funeral. Since your body will be clothed at the funeral, there will be no tell-tale signs that organs were donated. If eyes were donated, a fake eye is inserted and the eye lids will be shut. If bones are donated, a rod is placed where the bone was detached. For skin donation, only a small layer of skin is removed from the donor's back.