1. Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
GET THE FACTS:
Organ and Tissue
Donation and Transplantation
Developed by Donate Life NJ to support the mandate of the
New Jersey Hero Act (S755/A2083)
This presentation is going to teach you the facts and myths about donation and transplantation so that you can make an informed decision about donation.

2. Why should I learn about donation?
There are over 103,000 people in the US waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
There are over 102,000 people on the waiting list for organs and that number continues to grow every day.
The number of donated organs available is far less than the number of people waiting for a life-saving organ. Everyday 18 people die while waiting.
There are not enough donated organs available for everyone on the list, many people die while waiting.

3. You will have to make a decision about whether you want to register as a donor when you apply for or renew your license once you turn 18.
You will need to make a decision about whether or not you want to register as a donor when you apply for or renew your license after the age of 18.

4. You can become a hero and save the lives of others by registering as a donor.

5. In 2008 . . . 2,437,000 7,985 21,746 100,000+ people died in the US*
people became deceased donors (This is less than 1% of the total deaths for that year)**
21,746
organs were transplanted from deceased donors**
A total of 2,437,000 million people died in the US.
Out of the all of the people who died in the US in 2008 only 7,985 people became donors. This is less than 1% of the people who died.
Each donor can donate up to eight organs. There were a total of 21,746 organs transplanted from deceased donors in This number reflects an average of 2 to 3 organs donated per person.
There are over 100,000 people on the waiting list and new people are added to this list every day.
100,000+
people were waiting for a lifesaving transplant**
*National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 57, No 11, February 17, 2009,,**

6. The Number of People Waiting for a Transplant Far Outweighs the Number of Organ Donors
As you can see from this graph there is a huge gap between the number of life-saving organs available and the number of people waiting for a life-saving transplant.

7. Organs That Can Be Donated

8. HEART KIDNEYS LUNGS PANCREAS LIVER INTESTINES
You have 8 organs that can be donated. You can donate, your heart, two lungs, your liver, two kidneys, your pancreas and intestines.
People who need an organ transplant are people who have suffered irreversible damage to that organ which causes it to no longer function properly. This can be caused by disease, injury, or a birth defect.
LIVER
INTESTINES

9. One Organ Donor Can Save Up to Eight Lives
You can save up to eight lives by becoming an organ donor.

10. Most Commonly Donated Tissue

11. BONES HEART VALVES CORNEAS SKIN TENDONS VEINS
The most commonly donated tissue are, bones, corneas, tendons, heart valves, skin and veins.
Examples of how these tissue can be used to enhance someone’s life are as follows:
Bone can be used to help someone who needs a spinal fusion to lead a normal life.
Corneas can be used to give someone with a damaged cornea the gift of sight.
Tendons can be used to help people with sports injuries to repair torn tendons.
Heart valves can be used to replace a malfunctioning heart valve.
Skin can be used to help burn victims.
Veins can be used to repair veins that are not allowing blood to flow back to the heart.
These are just a few examples of the many uses for tissue donation
TENDONS
VEINS

12. One Tissue Donor Can Enhance Up to Fifty Lives
One tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

13. Anyone can register to be an organ and tissue donor.
Who Can Be A Donor?
Anyone can register to be an organ and tissue donor.
Anyone can register to be a donor.

14. Most donors are people who have experienced a severe, life-ending trauma to the brain and are declared brain dead. This means that brain function has irreversibly and permanently ceased.
In some cases, it is possible for a person to become a donor after cardiac death.
Most donors are people who have experienced a traumatic injury to the head causing brain death. Brain death occurs when brain function irreversibly stops. In some cases, it is possible for a person to become a donor after cardiac death.
In both cases, a person has to die in a hospital.

15. Common Myths and Misconceptions

16. “Doctors won’t save my life if they know I’m an organ and tissue donor

17. The team of doctors and nurses involved in treating you is not involved with the donation or transplant process.
The decision to become a donor will in no way affect the level of medical care for a sick or injured person. A doctor’s main job is to save your life. The team of doctors and nurses involved in treating the patient is not involved with the transplant/recovery team, which is called in only after death has occurred.

18. "Rich and famous people get moved to the top of the waiting list, while 'regular' people have to wait a long time for a transplant." .

19. Social and financial data are NEVER considered
Social and financial data are NEVER considered. Organs are computer matched according to compatibility of donor and recipient, wait time, and medical need.
Social or financial data are not part of the computer database and, therefore, are not factors in the determination of who receives and organ
Organs are computer matched according to compatibility of donor and recipient tissue, determined by various tests, waiting time, and the medical need of the recipient.

20. “If I have a history of medical illness, my organs or tissue are unfit for donation.”

21. Due to medical advances more people than ever are able to become donors.
At the time of death, the appropriate medical professionals determine whether or not you can be a donor.
At the time of death, the appropriate medical professionals will review your medical and social histories to determine whether or not you can be a donor.

22. “My religion does not support donation.”

23. All major organized religions approve of organ and tissue donation and some consider it an act of charity.
All major organized religions approve of organ and tissue donation, and many religions view it as the greatest gift you can give.

24. “If I have the words ‘organ donor’ on my license, it means that I am giving consent to become a living donor as well as a deceased donor.”

25. Registering as an organ donor on your license has nothing to do with living donation. In New Jersey, having the words “Organ Donor” on your license means that you consent to donating your organs and tissue once you have died.
Having the words “organ donor” on your license means that you consent to donating your organs once you have died.
Having the designation on your license has nothing to do with living donation.

26. Register as an organ and tissue donor on-line at www.donatelifenj.org.
How to become a HERO
When you renew or apply for your license at a Motor Vehicle Agency say “yes” to becoming an organ and tissue donor. OR
When you turn 18 and apply for your unrestricted driver license you will be asked if you’d like to be an organ donor. By saying “yes,” the words Organ Donor will appear on the front of your license and you will be registered as an organ and tissue donor.
If you are already 18 and do not have the words “organ donor” on your license and would like to make the donor designation you can either: Renew your license at Motor Vehicle and ask to have the donor designation put on your license, or make your designation online at
Most importantly tell your family about your decision so that they know your choice to be a donor.
Register as an organ and tissue donor on-line at

27. What if I’m under the age of 18?
You still have the power to donate!
Tell your family your decision so that they know of your choice to become a donor.
If you are under the age of 18, or if there is not a no designation on your driver license or other legal means of donor designation, the final decision about organ and tissue donation will be made by your family.
Talk to your family to about your decision so that they know your choice to become a donor.

28. Help save lives, say “yes” to becoming an organ and tissue donor.
I‘m A Hero Are You?