FAQs (con't)
More frequently asked questions ...
Q: Can I donate organs to a friend or loved one awaiting a transplant?
A: National organ allocation guidelines allow families of donors to designate recipients, usually family members or friends. Directed or designated donation, as it is commonly called, is an option.
Q: Will my decision to become an organ and tissue donor affect the quality of my medical care?
A: Absolutely not. Organ and tissue recovery takes place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death has been declared. The doctors working to save your life are entirely separate from the medical team involved in recovering organs and tissues.
Q: Will donation change the appearance of my body?
A: No. Donation neither disfigures the body nor interferes with funeral arrangements.
Q: Does it cost anything to donate organs and tissues?
A: No. There is not cost to a person's family or estate for organ and tissue donation.
Q: Is there an age limit for donating organs?
A: No set age limit exists for organ donation. At the time of death, the potential donor's organs are evaluated to determine their medical suitability for donation. Therefore, people of any age wishing to become organ and tissue donors should indicate it on their driver's license or stat I.D. card or sign a donor card, indicate it on their driver's license, and inform their family that they wish to donate.
Q: What medical conditions exclude a person from donating organs?
A: The medical condition at the time of death determines what organs and tissues may be donated.
Q: How many people are currently waiting for an organ to become available so they can have a transplant?
A: The number of people requiring a lifesaving transplant continues to rise faster than the number of available donors. Approximately 300 new transplant candidates are added to the waiting list each month.
Q: Does my religion approve of donation?
A: All of the major religions in this country approve of organ and tissue donation and consider it a gift — an act of charity. If you have questions, contact your religious adviser.
