HHS HealthBeat (October 21, 2008)

Donating after death

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Choosing now to be an organ donor after your death is a good and simple thing. Take these three easy steps:

• Sign up to be a donor on your state registry.
• Indicate “yes” to donation on your driver’s license.
• Tell your family and friends you want to be a donor.

Letting family members know lets them support your wishes and be your advocate. 

Dr. Elizabeth Duke, administrator of HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the national transplantation program:

``Yes, you can even have a little heart on your driver’s license, and yes you may even have put yourself on a state registry. But you really need to have a conversation with your family.”  (11 seconds)

There are over 100,000 people on the national waiting list to receive an organ.   

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: October, 21 2008