About Donation

What does organ, tissue and eye donor registration do?
Registering to become an organ, tissue and eye donor helps ensure your wishes will be carried out after you die. Signing a donor card and placing the "donor" sticker on your driver's license makes it clear to your family and medical professionals that you intend to donate your organs. Successful transplantation can restore life to people with critical diseases affecting the lungs, heart, kidney, tissues or eyes.

Is there any cost or payment for donation?
No. Donor families are never charged, and do not receive any payment or compensation for the donation.

What if I can't afford a transplant if I need one?
Most transplant costs are covered by private insurance or Medicare. If someone is caught in the middle, there are several established groups that can assist with community fundraising. Cost alone does not typically keep someone from receiving a transplant.

Is there a conflict between using my organs, tissues or eyes and saving my life?
No. Donation is not considered until all possible efforts to save a patient’s life have failed and death has been declared. The transplant team has no involvement in the patient’s care prior to death and is notified only after death has occurred.

Do religious groups support organ, tissue and eye donation?
Yes. Religious leaders the world over favor organ and tissue donation as the highest humanitarian ideal. If you have questions concerning your faith's position regarding organ, tissue and eye donation, consult your religious leader.

Does donation affect funeral and burial arrangements?
No. A traditional, open casket funeral or cremation is still possible. Although there is no cost to the family for donating organs or tissues, the estate is still responsible for the usual costs associated with the funeral and burial.

Who can be a donor?
Anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender can become an organ, tissue and eye donor. Medical suitability is determined after the donor's death. Organs, tissues and eyes that cannot be used for transplants due to advanced age or disease can often be used to help scientists find cures for serious illnesses.

What can be donated?
One donor can benefit many other people. Organs and tissues that can be transplanted include: the kidneys, the eyes, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, heart valves, bone and skin.

How do I make my wishes known about being a donor?
Register at www.DonateLifeTexas.org or when renewing your license in person or online. Registration online takes less than five minutes. Donor information is protected and only authorized organ procurement organizations and tissue and eye banks can access registrant information.

Can someone recover after being declared "brain dead"?
Brain death occurs when a person has irreversible, catastrophic brain injury, which causes brain activity to stop permanently. Heart and lung functions can only be maintained with the help of a mechanical ventilator.