This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition. Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer

Organ and Tissue Donation

Organ transplantation may be the only successful treatment for many patients suffering from end-stage disease of the kidneys, heart, lung, liver, pancreas or intestines. Transplants of tissues such as cornea, skin, veins, bone, and heart valves are performed to treat a wide range of medical problems. Unfortunately, such transplants are only possible following an organ and tissue donation.

A living organ donation comes from a live donor who can donate an organ, usually kidney, or a segment of an organ, usually liver, to a waiting recipient. Living organ donations have increased dramatically over the last decade. UNOS reports that in 2001, for the first time ever, living organ donations exceeded cadaveric donors.

A cadaveric or "dead" donor may donate both organs and tissues. The cadaveric donor is declared legally dead using either brain death or cardiopulmonary criteria. Declaration criteria dictate the categorization of the donor as either: donation following brain death (DBD) or donation following cardiopulmonary death (DCD). DBD cases account for the vast majority of cadaveric donation within the U.S.

Although advances have been made in awareness, legislation and medicine, the current demand for transplants significantly surpasses the number of organ donations. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), who manages the national transplant waiting list, reports there are currently over 80,000 patients awaiting a transplant in the United States. UNOS data also shows that 6,124 people died while waiting for a transplant in 2001.

Suitability for donation is dependent upon many medical factors. Potential donors are evaluated at the time of their death. Appropriate medical professionals are consulted to determine the suitability of the organs and tissues for donation.

Make a difference:
Share your life by deciding to be an organ and tissue donor.
Share your decision with your family now.
At the time of your death, your family will be asked about donation. Sharing your decision with your family will spare them the added burden of having to guess your wishes at a difficult time. Since none of us know the day or the hour of death, it's important to tell your family now. Carrying out your wish to save other lives can provide your family with great comfort in their time of grief.

Locally you can contact the Transplant Society of Michigan at 1-800-482-4881 with questions regarding organ and tissue donation, or, nationally call 1-800-355-SHARE.

Remember, signing a donor card is not enough to ensure donation. You must also let your family know your wishes.

U-M Health System Related Sites:
U-M Transplant Center
Liver Transplant Clinic
Corneal Transplant

Other Related Web Sites:
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
Coalition on Donation (COD)
Give Life: The Transplant Journey
TransWeb: All About Transplantation and Donation
American Red Cross
Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients

Information provided by Mark Gravel, UM Transplant Center, October 2002