Donating Organs and Tissue

All individuals can indicate their intent to donate organs or tissue. Individuals under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian's consent. Medical suitability for donation is determined at the time of death.

If you wish to become an organ and/or tissue donor, you should:

• Indicate your intent to be a donor on your driver's license.
• Carry an organ donor card.
• Discuss your decision with family members and loved ones.

To learn more about how to donate an organ or tissue, please visit OrganDonor.gov .

You may also wish to view a list of answers to frequently asked questions about organ donation and transplantation, or view different types of donations .

Information about donating blood is also available.

Donating to Science
If you wish to donate your entire body to medical science, you should contact the facility of your choice to make arrangements. Medical schools need bodies to teach medical students about anatomy, and research facilities need them to study disease processes so they can create cures. Please note: Because the bodies used for these purposes generally must be complete with all their organs and tissues, organ donation is not an option. Some programs, however, make exceptions. You can inform your family that organ donation is your first choice, but if it is found that you are not medically suitable for organ donation, your family can carry out your wishes for whole body donation.

Federal Employees and Organ Donation
The Organ Donor Leave Act , passed by Congress in 1999, increased the amount of leave time for a federal employee who wishes to be a donor. The law allows up to seven days of paid leave for bone marrow donation and up to 30 days of paid leave for living organ donation .

Health Observances

• February 14 is National Donor Day , aimed at raising awareness and encouraging blood, marrow, organ and tissue donations.
• April is also Donate Life Month , designated to encourage more Americans to save lives by becoming donors. You may wish to view the presidential proclamation for 2010 .