Organ & Tissue Donation

On their website dedicated to organ and tissue donation, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services shares, "Each day, about 79 people receive organ transplants. However, 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs."

Fortunately, you can do something to positively change those numbers simply by electing to become an organ and tissue donor. The website also declares that 100 million people in the United States have signed up to be a donor but with a population of more than 317 million people, that's less than 1/3 involved in organ and tissue donation.

What's stopping others from getting involved? Age for one; children under the age of 18 cannot become a donor without permission from the parent or guardian. Also, there's a lot of confusion around the subject of organ and tissue donation.

The staff of the Mayo Clinic, in the article, "Organ Donation: Don't Let These Myths Confuse You," writes very persuasively about the myths that commonly prevent people from committing.

• If I agree to donate my organs, the hospital staff won't work very hard to save my life. NOT true; your doctors will focus on saving your life, and only yours until that point there is nothing more they can do for you. Then their focus will shift.
• Organ donation violates my religious beliefs. The act of donating your organs is consistent with the beliefs of most major religions. However, if you're unsure of your faith's perception on donation, speak with a member of your clergy.
• I'm under the age of 18; I'm too young to make this decision. Yes, legally you are too young. However, your parent or guardian can provide consent.
• I can't have an open-casket funeral if I've donated organs or tissues. This is simply NOT true; as you will be fully-clothed, there will be no visible signs of donation-related activity.
• No one would want my organs. If you think you're too old to donate, you'll be happy to know there is no defined cut-off age for donors. Even if you're not in the best of health, there is no way to predict exactly what organs or tissues would be of use at the time of your death.
• My family will be charged money if I donate organs or tissues. This is, in effect, never true. The cost of organ removal is paid by the transplant recipient; never by the donor's family.

How to Become an Organ Donor

The easiest way for an individual to document their wishes regarding organ donation is to join the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry.  By joining the Registry, an individual’s wishes are documented electronically in a safe and secure database.

Joining the Kentucky Donor Registry is as easy as:

     * visiting the secure website www.donatelifeky.org
     * signing up when you renew your driver’s license or request the donor heart symbol on your license.  

The Donor Registry enables your family members to know that you have chosen to save and enhance lives through donation.  Kentucky also has “First Person Consent” laws in effect, meaning that the wishes of an individual will be carried out as requested.

We encourage you to visit http://www.kyorgandonor.org/, or call KODA (Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliate) at 502-581-9511 to learn more about organ donation.