Who can be
a donor?
Anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender can
become an organ donor. Organs and tissue that
can’t be used for transplantation, due to
advanced age or disease, can often be used to
help find cures for serious illnesses.
How do I become a donor?
How are recipients selected?
Law under the National Transplant Act strictly
mandates the selection process. A carefully monitored
system allows full and equal access to donated
organs and tissues for all potential recipients.
Criteria for deciding which person on the waiting
list will receive organs or tissues from a particular
donor depends on factors such as the tissue and
blood type, body size and the degree of illness
of the potential recipient.
Is there any cost or payment
for organ/tissue donation?
The donor’s family estate is never charged
for the removal of any organs, nor do they receive
any compensation.
Does organ/tissue donation
affect funeral practices?
No. Families may make final funeral arrangements,
including an open casket funeral, for burial or
cremation.
Is there a conflict between
using any organs/tissues and saving my life?
No. Donation is not considered until all efforts
to save a person have not failed. The transplant
team has no involvement in the patient’s
care prior to death and is notified only after
death has occurred.
What organs/tissues
can be donated?
Organs that can be donated are the heart, lungs,
liver, pancreas and kidneys.
Among the tissues can be donated are corneas to
restore sight, bone to prevent amputation, heart
valves for children born with heart problems or
adults with heart disease, tendons to replace
damaged tissues in injured joints, saphenous veins
for bypass surgeries and skin as a temporary covering
to reduce pain and infection in burn victims.
Up to 50 people can benefit from a single donor.
How is donation viewed by
my religion?
All major western religions support donation
as a final, charitable act of giving to others.
What if I change my mind?
You may ask to remove your name from the Donor
Registry at any time by calling 800.525.5667.
If you have signed the donor card on your license/ID
card, simply write VOID across it.
DONOR REGISTRY
The Donor Registry is a computerized database
that documents your wishes regarding donation.
The Registry provides valuable information to
families who are unaware of a loved one’s
intentions and are asked at the hospital for consent
donate.
All information is confidential. Only organ
banks and coroners have access.
How do I join registry?
When you visit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles,
you will be asked if you intend to sign the organ/tissue
donor portion on the back of the driver’s
license and would like to join the registry. Your
response is entered on your record. You can register
by phone by calling the Organ Donor Registry at
800.525.5667, or via the Internet by accessing
their online application form.
Does the registry replace the donor card on the
back of my driver’s license or ID card?
No. The Registry is meant as a supplement, not
a replacement, to the uniform organ donor card
on the back of the driver’s license. But
either action still depends on consent from the
next-of-kin before any organs can be removed.
So please talk to your family.
FACTS FAMILIES SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT DONATION
Today, all across Ohio, thousands of people are
able to live fuller and more productive lives
because of the lifesaving decisions made by families
like yours. Although it is hard to believe at
the time, it is possible for something positive
to come from death...a new life for someone else.
Many donor families have found comfort in knowing
that they and their loved one have helped life
go on for someone else.
Families of prospective donors must give their
permission before donation of a loved one’s
organs and tissues can occur. It is much easier
for your family to make the decision to donate
if they know your wishes ahead of time.
Will organ/tissue donation affect the level of
medical care my loved one receives?
No. Donation is never considered until all efforts
to save your loved one have failed.
How does the family communicate an individual’s
wish to donate organs/tissues?
Federal law states that hospitals must offer
you the option of donating your loved one’s
organs. But don’t wait to be asked. Approach
the hospital staff or coroner’s staff and
make your loved one’s wishes known.
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