Organ and Tissue Donation Facts

SIGNING UP AS A DONOR MEANS YOU WILL DONATE YOUR ORGANS, EYES AND TISSUES AFTER DEATH

Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor means you have made the decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues at the time of your death. Your decision to be a donor takes priority over your family’s preferences, so be sure and discuss your decision with loved ones.

ANYONE OF ANY AGE OR MEDICAL HISTORY CAN SIGN UP

Anyone of any age or with any kind of medical history can choose to sign up to save lives through donation. Even people with chronic medical conditions and infectious diseases may be able to donate. Don’t rule yourself out; you may be able to save lives!

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SIGNING UP AUTHORIZES THE DONATION OF EIGHT ORGANS AND SIX TISSUES

Organs that can be donated by signing up include the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine. Tissues that can be donated include bones, skin, tendons, heart valves, veins and corneas.

Vascular composite allografts such as face, hands, legs and feet are not yet transplanted in our area. The donor registry does not pertain to these types of donations, requiring authorization of the next of kin.

SIGNING UP AUTHORIZES THE DONATION OF EIGHT ORGANS AND SIX TISSUES

DONATION STATUS DOES NOT AFFECT MEDICAL CARE

Your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor will not interfere with your medical care. Doctors and nurses caring for you before death are not involved in the donation process.

DONATION STATUS DOES NOT AFFECT MEDICAL CARE

THERE IS NO COST TO THE DONOR OR FAMILY FOR DONATION

Donation doesn’t cost you or your family anything. Hospital expenses incurred before the donation of organs, eyes or tissues and funeral expenses remain the responsibility of the donor’s family.

THERE IS NO COST TO THE DONOR OR FAMILY FOR DONATION

ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS IN THE U.S. SUPPORT DONATION

All major religions support donation, and many view it as an act of love and generosity.

ALL MAJOR RELIGIONS IN THE U.S. SUPPORT DONATION

AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL IS POSSIBLE FOR DONORS

Donation will not interfere with funeral arrangements, including an open casket or viewing. Donors and their families are treated with the utmost respect and care.

AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL IS POSSIBLE FOR DONORS

LIVING DONATION SAVES LIVES NOW AND IS SEPARATE FROM THE DONOR REGISTRY

Living donation is an opportunity to save a life now- while you are still living- by donating a kidney or part of your liver, pancreas or intestine. Living donation is not part of signing up to be a organ, eye and tissue donor and should be discussed directly with a transplant center. For a list of local transplant centers, visit our More Resources page.
Note: Selling human organs for the purpose of transplantation is illegal. Federal law stipulates that no person may be paid and/or receive valuable consideration for donating an organ.

LIVING DONATION SAVES LIVES NOW AND IS SEPARATE FROM THE DONOR REGISTRY

Become a Donor

By joining the Donate Life Colorado Donor Registry, you can be someone’s hero. One heroic choice can save and heal lives.

Sign up Today