How do I become a donor?

Request that a heart be placed on your license at the DMV.

OR

Register online with the new Donate Life North Carolina donor registry.

Through the North Carolina Heart Prevails Act, North Carolina does not require family consent to carry out your wishes to be an organ or eye donor. However, keeping everyone informed will help avoid any confusion or delays. Print a family notification card now.

What organs and tissues can be donated and how are they used?

Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and small intestines. Organs are used to save lives by replacing diseased organs with healthy ones. Tissues that can be donated include skin, bone, corneas, heart valves, and veins. Corneas are transplanted to give sight and heart valves are used in valve replacement surgery, common in children. Skin grafts are used for burn victims. Bone, tendons and ligaments can be used in reconstructive surgeries.

Is there any cost to my family if I am an organ/tissue donor?

No. All costs associated with donation are paid by the organ procurement organization. Your family is only responsible for hospital charges before the death declaration and for funeral expenses.

Will signing a donor card affect the quality of medical care I receive?

Absolutely not. Medical care is always based on what is necessary to save a patient’s life. Patients can be considered for donation only after they are declared dead.

Is there any age limit for donation?

No. Factors such as race, gender, age, income, or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ. The organ allocation and distribution system is based on many factors including blood type, length of time on waiting list, geographical location, severity of illness and other medical criteria. There is NO way to buy a place on the waiting list.

Are there any racial barriers to donation and matching organs?

No. Race is not a barrier, nor is it a criterion for organ placement. A computer database matches organ donors with potential recipients according to medical suitability. However, patients waiting for kidney transplants are more likely to have an antigen match with a donor of the same race.

If I am in good health can I sell my organs for money?

No! It is against the law to buy or sell organs in the United States.

Can I be a donor if I have or have had cancer?

People who have or have had some forms of cancer can be eye donors. They could be an organ and tissue donor if they have been cancer-free for at least five years.

Can my organs be used if I die at home?

Unfortunately, no. Organs must have a continuous blood and oxygen supply to be suitable for transplantation. Only individuals who have been determined brain dead, usually in a hospital intensive care unit, have the potential to be organ donors. However, tissue donation can occur when someone dies at home.

What does “brain death” mean?

Brain death is the irreversible and complete cessation of all brain and brain stem function. It means there is no blood flow through the brain or brain stem and the patient has stopped responding to outside stimuli. It is considered death and allows a death certificate to be signed. Brain death is not the same as being in a coma, since coma patients still have brain function and respond to stimuli.

If I am a donor, will there be a delay in funeral services?

In most cases, no. Usually, the procedure can be completed and the body released to the funeral home the next day.

Can I still have an open casket funeral?

Yes. Organ and tissue recoveries are conducted in the operating room under the direction of qualified surgical personnel. An incision is made, closed, and dressed; therefore, the body’s appearance is not changed by the donation process. Also, the identity of the donor family is kept confidential so no one will know that donation took place.

Can I still be an organ donor and also donate my body to science?

If you are an organ or tissue donor, a medical school will not accept your remains for teaching purposes. However, if you are an eye donor, you may donate your body to a medical school. Some research institutions will accept your body for research after organ and tissue donation.

How many people are waiting for organs in our country?

Right now, more than 90,000 Americans are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. For the most current waiting list number, visit www.unos.org.

How many people are waiting for transplants in NC?

Nearly 3,000 North Carolinians need life-saving organ transplants.

How many people can be helped by tissue donation?

More than 50 people can be helped through one tissue donor.

How many lives can be saved by one organ donor?

One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people.

When was the first human heart transplant?

In 1967, a South African heart surgeon named Christian Barnard performed the first human heart transplant.

When was the successful living donor transplant done?

In 1954, a kidney was transplanted form a healthy 23-year-old identical twin to his brother, who had chronic kidney failure.