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Be an Organ and Tissue Donor

Help Create a Donation Friendly America!
Each organ and tissue donor saves or improves the lives of as many as 50 people. Giving the "Gift of Life" may lighten the grief of the donor's own family. Many donor families say that knowing other lives have been saved helps them cope with their tragic loss.

Get Started
  1. Register with your state donor registry.

    More information on how to register to be a donor in your state. Most states, but not all, have donor registries.

  2. Designate your decision on your driver’s license. Do this when you obtain or renew your license.

  3. Sign a donor card now. Carry the donor card with you until you can designate your donation decision on your driver’s license or join a donor registry.

  4. Talk to your family now about your donation decision. Help your family understand your wish to be an organ and tissue donor before a crisis occurs. Then they will be prepared to serve as your advocate for donation.

Donor Card

Frequently Asked Questions

  
DONORS NEEDED NOW

The Shortage (Overview)

Each day, about 77 people receive organ transplants. However, 19 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.

To see a breakdown of people on the waiting list, go to U.S. Waiting List Candidates by Organ & Gender Exit Disclaimer

Minority Donors Needed

Minority Stories of Donation and Transplantation
US Department of Health & Human Services