The Truth About Organ and Tissue Donation

Organ donation is only an option after all attempts to save someone's life have been exhausted.

All major religions / religiosos support donation.  For further guidance, you should speak to your religious advisor.

If you don't share your decision about donation with your family, it's likely your wishes won't be followed.

After donation, the body is preserved and family members can have a customary funeral service of their choice.  Open caskets are possible.

Smoking and drinking do not prevent you from being a donor, and you're never too old to donate organs or tissues that could help others.

The heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, small intestine, corneas, bone, heart valves, veins, pericardium, tendons, and ligaments can all be transplanted.

Every donated organ and tissue is a precious gift.  Each day in the United States, 10 to 11 people die while waiting for an organ transplant.  Thousands of people await tissues for surgical procedures that will help them live normal lives.  A donated cornea will help someone who is blind to see again.  A donated piece of bone may help someone walk.  A donated kidney will take someone off dialysis.

For free organ donor cards and a brochure addressing the most commonly asked questions about organ donation, call 1-800-747-5527 or request it via e-mail: Wendye@kidneysocal.org

(Adapted form the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area's brochure, "The Real Truth About Organ and Tissue Donation")