- How do I become a donor?
- What organs and tissues can be donated and how are they used?
- How many people can be helped by tissue donation?
- How many lives can be saved by one organ donor?
- How many people are waiting for organs in our country?
- How many people are waiting for transplants in Iowa?
- Is there any cost to my family if I am an organ/tissue donor?
- Will signing a donor card affect the quality of medical care I receive?
- Is there an age limit for donation?
- Is it true that only rich people get transplants?
- Are there any racial barriers to donation and matching organs?
- If I am in good health can I sell my organs for money?
- Can I be a donor if I have or have had cancer?
- Can my organs be used if I die at home?
- What does “brain death” mean?
- If I am a donor, will there be a delay in funeral services?
- Can I still have an open casket funeral?
- When was the first human heart transplant?
- When was the successful living donor transplant done?
How do I become a donor?
There are now two ways to become a donor in Iowa:
- Marking a "yes" to organ donation on your Iowa driver's license.
- Register with the www.IowaDonorRegistry.org
What organs and tissues can be donated and how are the used?
Organs that can be donated
include the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys,
and small intestines. Organs are used to save
lives by replacing diseased organs with healthy
ones. Tissues that can be donated include skin,
bone, corneas, heart valves, and veins. skin grafts
are used for burn victims. Bone, tendons and ligaments
can be used in reconstructive surgeries; corneas
are transplanted to give sight; heart valves are
used in valve replacement surgery, common in children,
and leg veins can be used in heart bypass surgery. For more information visit our What Can Be Donated webpage.
How many people can be helped by tissue donation?
More than 50 people can be helped through one tissue donor.
How many lives can be saved by one organ donor?
One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people.
How many people are waiting for organs in the U.S.?
Right now, more than 95,000 Americans are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. For the most current waiting list number, visit www.unos.org.
How many people are waiting for transplants in Iowa?
Nearly 500 Iowans need life-saving organ transplants.
Is there any cost to my family if I am an organ/tissue donor?
No. All costs associated with
donation are paid by the recipient, usually through insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Your family is only responsible for hospital charges
before the death declaration and for funeral expenses, but not for organ donation.
Will signing a donor card affect the quality of medical care I receive?
Absolutely not. Medical care is always based on what is necessary
to save a patient’s life. Patients can be considered
for donation only after they are declared dead.
Is there any age limit for donation?
No. Potential donors are evaluated on an individual basis, regardless of age.
Is it true that only rich people get transplants?
No. Factors such as race, gender, age, income, or celebrity
status are never considered when determining who
receives an organ. The organ allocation and distribution
system is based on many factors including blood
type, length of time on waiting list, geographical
location, severity of illness and other medical
criteria. There is NO way to buy a place on the
waiting list.
Are there any racial barriers to donation and matching organs?
No. Race is not a barrier, nor is it a criterion for
organ placement. A computer database matches organ
donors with potential recipients according to medical
suitability. However, patients waiting for kidney
transplants are more likely to have an antigen match
with a donor of the same race.
If I am in good health can I sell my organs for money?
No! It is against the law to buy or sell organs in the United States.
Can I be a donor if I have or have had cancer?
People who have or have had some forms of cancer can be eye donors. They could be an organ and tissue donor if they have been cancer-free for at least five
years. You should consider yourself a potential organ and tissue donor, indicate your intent to donate on your driver's license, donor card, or Iowa Donor Registry, and discuss your decision with family members.
Can my organs be used if I die at home?
Unfortunately, no. Organs must have a continuous blood and oxygen
supply to be suitable for transplantation. Only
individuals who have been determined brain dead,
usually in a hospital intensive care unit, have
the potential to be organ donors. However, tissue
donation can occur when someone dies at home.
What does “brain death” mean?
Brain death is the irreversible and complete cessation
of all brain and brain stem function. It means there
is no blood flow through the brain or brain stem
and the patient has stopped responding to outside
stimuli. It is considered death and allows a death
certificate to be signed. Brain death is not the
same as being in a coma, since coma patients still
have brain function and respond to stimuli.
If I am a donor, will there be a delay in funeral services?
In most cases, no. Usually, the procedure can be completed
and the body released to the funeral home the next
day.
Can I still have an open casket funeral?
Yes. Organ and tissue recoveries are conducted in the
operating room under the direction of qualified
surgical personnel. An incision is made, closed,
and dressed; therefore, the body’s appearance
is not changed by the donation process. Also, the
identity of the donor family is kept confidential
so no one will know that donation took place.
When was the first human heart transplant?
In 1967, a South African heart surgeon named Christian Barnard performed the first human heart transplant.
When was the successful living donor transplant done?
In 1954, a kidney was transplanted form a healthy 23-year-old
identical twin to his brother, who had chronic kidney
failure.
