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Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation FAQ

Ready to get out into your community and register people as organ, eye, and tissue donors? Read this FAQ before you get started so you can have meaningful and successful conversations about donation.

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📑 Want a printed and laminated FAQ for your next registration drive? Request one here.

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Here are some tips on how to engage people and start the conversation:

• Consider having a snack or giveaway items (like buttons and stickers) that will encourage people to come up to you.

• If you want to strike up the conversation, consider asking “Do you want to save lives?” or “We’re registering people as organ donors today. Do you want to learn more?”

• Always be calm, respectful, and factual when having a conversation with someone about organ, eye, and tissue donation.

• Organ, eye, and tissue donation is an extremely personal choice. The chance to educate someone in a safe way can be just as meaningful as a new donor registration.

How many lives can an organ, eye, and tissue donor save or impact?

Donors can save the lives of up to 8 people through organ (heart, pancreas, liver, intestines, both lungs, both kidneys) donation, restore sight to 2 people through corneal donation, and enhance the lives of up to 75 through tissue donation.

Who can donate their organs?

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Any adults age 18 or older can register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Teens who are 15-17 years old can register their intent to be donors in the National Donate Life Registry.

Does my religion support organ donation?

While there are variations in specific views, most major religions of the

world allow and support transplantation and donation.

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What is deceased organ donation? What is living organ donation?

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Deceased organ donation occurs when organs are donated to someone in need after the death of a donor. You are registering your wishes to be a deceased donor at the DMV, on RegisterMe.org, or through the health app on an iPhone.

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Living organ donation occurs when a healthy individual donates a kidney or a portion of their liver to someone in need.

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Does being a registered organ and tissue donor affect my care?

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Being a registered organ donor does not impact the care received at a hospital. The medical team is distinct from the transplant team; your doctors’ priority is to save your life.

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Is registering at the DMV different from registering at RegisterMe.org?

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Yes, there are two registries: 1. The state registry: This is the registry you are on if you register at the DMV, and 2. The National Donate Life Registry: RegisterMe.org and the health app on an iPhone are part of the National Donate Life Registry, owned and operated by Donate Life America.

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Donation professionals check both at the time of death, so it’s best to be on both registries. Encourage people to register at your table to ensure their wishes are known.