Why you should consider organ donation, and how to plan for it

When one of the organs of a person starts to fail, an organ transplant may be required to save the person’s life. However, organ transplants are not easy to get, as there is a long waitlist of recipients, and many people die each year because they are unable to receive an organ transplant in time.

In addition to saving and prolonging lives, donated organs are used by medical researchers to study diseases and organ tissues that allow for the development of treatments for diseases. Almost every person is eligible to have their organs donated once they pass away, and to potentially save the life of another person.

If you are interested in being an organ donor, you must plan ahead. Talk to your close friends and family and inform them of your desire to donate your organs. Having this conversation may be difficult for some families, so please inform them of the benefits of organ donation.

Individuals interested in planning for organ donation must register themselves on their respective state’s organ donor registry. You can find instructions and guidance for registering yourself as an organ donor in your state here.

Most states give you the option of which organs you would like to donate at the time you register. According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common transplant organs are the kidney, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. You may donate one, all, or more than these - please check with your state’s organ donor registry when signing up for more information. 

Once you have successfully registered yourself as a future organ donor, you can have your status reflected on your state’s driver’s license when you renew or obtain it. This will help legally ensure that your organs are successfully carried out once you pass away.

You may also include your wishes in a living will or advance directive in your state. If you or your family have more questions on how to arrange for organ donation once the donor passes away, please visit this page.

The decision to donate one’s organs is a noble one and one which could save many lives. By signing up to be an organ donor, you may help keep a distressed family together or contribute to the discovery of new disease treatments.

For more information on whether you are eligible to be an organ donor, click here.

— Kevin Chen