What you need to know about organ, eye and tissue donation
Get answers to common questions about becoming a registered donor and the impact of donation.
How do I register as a donor?
Registering to become an organ, eye and tissue donor is simple. You can say “yes” when getting your driver’s license or state ID at the BMV, online or by completing and returning an enrollment form. Please share your donation decision with your family.
You can also change your registration anytime by going online.
How many lives can I save and heal by being a donor?
One person has the potential to save 8 lives through organ donation and heal more than 75 through tissue donation.
Organs that can be donated include kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas and small intestine. Tissues that can be donated include heart valves, corneas, skin, bone, ligaments, tendons, fascia and veins.
Will doctors try to save my life if they know I am a registered donor?
Hospitals cannot check to see if you are a registered donor; only an organ procurement organization, like Lifeline of Ohio, can.
If you are taken to the hospital after an accident or injury, the hospital’s number one priority is saving your life.
How does someone become a donor?
Donation is rare – only about 1-2% of all deaths happen in a way that can result in organ donation. Donation after death happens in two ways:
- When the heart and/or lungs stop.
- When the brain, including the brain stem, has stopped functioning permanently. This is called brain death and is an irreversible, catastrophic brain injury.
Brain death is an accepted medical, ethical and legal form of death. The standards for determining that someone is brain dead are strict.
Can I be a donor if I have a history of cancer, chronic disease or an illness?
In many cases, those with a history of cancer, chronic disease or illness may still be able to donate organs or tissues. We ask you to register as a donor and not rule yourself out. Clinical professionals from Lifeline of Ohio will determine what can potentially be donated after your death.
Is there a cost to be a donor?
No! The donor’s family does not pay for anything in the organ, eye and/or tissue donation process.
Does my religion support donation?
All major religions in the United States support donation and consider it a generous last act of caring. Read your religion’s statement on donation.
What if my family is against donation?
Talking to your family about your decision to be a donor is very important.
When you register as a donor, you are making a legal decision. If you are over 18, your registration is legally binding, and no one but you can change your decision to donate. While not all families agree about donation, it’s important to discuss your decision with your family and share why this is important to you.
Does donation change funeral plans?
No. Donation does not change funeral plans. Lifeline of Ohio will work with the family to make sure the funeral plans move forward as planned.
How are recipients matched to donor organs?
Organs are matched to waiting recipients based on:
- Blood type
- Weight and height of both the donor and recipient
- How sick the waiting recipient is – the sicker someone waiting is, the higher they are on the waiting list
- The distance between the donor’s and the waiting recipient’s hospital – organs can only be outside of the donor’s body for a certain amount of time
Is there a maximum age for donation?
No! You are never too old to be a donor – in fact, the oldest organ donor was 98, and the oldest tissue and cornea donor was 107! Your age or health should not prevent you from registering as a donor.
Can you register as a donor if you are 18 years old or younger?
Anyone who is 15 1/2 years old or older and holds a valid Ohio driver’s license, learner’s permit or state ID card can register as a donor.
However, until someone is 18, their parent or guardian has the final decision on whether they can be a donor upon death. It is important to share your donation decision with your loved ones at any age.
Does my sexual orientation exclude me being a donor?
While there are some restrictions on tissue donation for men who have had sex with men, we encourage you to register, share your decision with your loved ones and let the professionals with Lifeline of Ohio determine at the time of death what can be donated.
Anyone can register as a donor regardless of their sexual orientation. Organ donation is based on medical criteria, not sexual orientation or gender identity.
Can organs and tissue be transplanted between races and genders?
Yes! Race and gender are not factors considered in the matching process.
Can rich or famous people “jump” the waiting list?
No! Matching organs to recipients is based only on medical information and has nothing to do with status or wealth.
Occasionally, it may seem that rich or famous individuals receive transplants more often, but that is because they are often in the news.
Is it permissible to sell human organs?
No! The National Organ Transplant Act (Public Law 98-507) prohibits the sale of human organs.
Does Lifeline of Ohio facilitate living donation?
No. Living donation is done by transplant centers. In Central Ohio, please contact The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
What if I want to donate my body to science after death?
Lifeline of Ohio facilitates deceased donation only. Please see a list of whole-body donation programs here.
Does Lifeline of Ohio facilitate bone marrow donation?
No. Please visit Be The Match to learn about bone marrow donation.