Why Donate?
why it’s important
There’s a critical need for organ donations.
Becoming an organ donor is one of the most meaningful ways to make a lasting impact. A single donor can save multiple lives and bring hope to families facing critical medical challenges.
100,000+ people
are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants.
every 8 minutes
another person is added to the national transplant waiting list.
5,000+ people
die each year while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
By the numbers
Why Donate?
can be saved from just a single organ donation.
can be improved from just a single tissue donation.
receive lifesaving organ transplants every day because of donors like you.
Donating can help touch lives like Maria’s, a kidney transplant recipient.
Donations can be flexible.
You can choose to donate ALL of your organs and tissues or specify among the following:
Click on an organ or tissue to learn more about how your donation could impact a recipient.
Heart
A heart transplant is a life-saving surgical procedure in which a malfunctioning heart is replaced with a healthy donor heart. The heart is responsible for circulation of blood throughout the body. Heart transplant recipients are generally people who suffer from long-term heart failure, heart muscle disease, severe birth defects or other irreversible heart injury from damage to the vessels of the heart that cannot be treated by any other medical or surgical means.
Kidneys
A kidney transplant replaces one or both failing kidneys with a healthy donor organ capable of filtering blood and producing urine. The kidneys play a critical role in removing waste and balancing fluids in the body. Recipients are often individuals with end-stage renal disease, long-term diabetes, hypertension, or congenital kidney disorders that cannot be managed with medication alone. Transplantation can significantly extend life expectancy and reduce or eliminate the need for dialysis treatments.
Lungs
A lung transplant involves replacing diseased or damaged lungs with healthy donor lungs capable of supporting proper oxygen exchange. The lungs are responsible for supplying oxygen to the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide from the body. Candidates for lung transplantation typically include individuals with advanced lung disease such as COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, or severe pulmonary hypertension, whose respiratory function cannot be managed through medications or supportive therapies.
Pancreas
A pancreas transplant involves replacing a non-functional pancreas with a healthy donor organ to restore insulin production and regulate blood sugar. The pancreas plays a central role in digestion and metabolism. Recipients are typically individuals with type 1 diabetes who experience severe blood sugar instability, kidney damage, or complications not manageable with medication or insulin therapy. Transplantation may be performed alone or in combination with a kidney transplant to improve long-term health outcomes.
Liver
A liver transplant replaces a failing liver with a healthy donor organ capable of performing vital functions such as detoxification, nutrient processing, and blood clotting regulation. Recipients are often individuals with cirrhosis, liver cancer, inherited metabolic disorders, or acute liver failure caused by injury or infection. Transplantation is considered when long-term medical therapy cannot prevent deterioration of liver function or complications that threaten a patient’s survival.
Small Intestine
A small intestine transplant restores the body’s ability to absorb nutrients by replacing damaged or non-functional intestinal tissue with a healthy donor organ. The small intestine is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Candidates often include individuals with intestinal failure caused by congenital defects, Crohn’s disease, trauma, or ischemia who are unable to tolerate long-term intravenous nutrition. Transplantation can reduce life-threatening complications and improve quality of life.
Corneas
A cornea transplant restores sight by replacing a damaged or opaque cornea with a healthy donor cornea capable of properly focusing light. The cornea plays a vital role in vision by protecting the eye and contributing to visual clarity. Recipients commonly include individuals with corneal scarring, dystrophy, injury, or degenerative disease not correctable through glasses or surgery. Transplantation can dramatically improve vision, reduce pain, and prevent further deterioration.
Skin
Skin donation provides healthy tissue used to treat severe burns, traumatic injuries, and surgical wounds that cannot heal on their own. Donated skin protects underlying tissues, promotes healing, and reduces infection risk. Recipients often include individuals with life-threatening burns, chronic wounds, or reconstructive needs following trauma or cancer surgery. Skin grafts support better functional recovery and may restore appearance, mobility, and comfort.
Bone
Bone donation supplies structural tissue used to repair orthopedic injuries, reconstruct skeletal defects, and stabilize the spine or joints. Donated bone can replace diseased or damaged tissue lost to trauma, infection, or tumor removal. Recipients typically include individuals requiring spinal fusion, joint revision, or corrective surgery for fractures that will not heal naturally. Bone grafts can restore mobility, reduce pain, and preserve limb function.
Heart Valves
A heart valve transplant replaces defective or diseased valves with healthy donor tissue that supports proper blood flow. Heart valves control the direction and pressure of blood moving through the heart. Recipients often include children and adults with congenital defects, infection, or degenerative valve disease that cannot be corrected through medication or synthetic valves. Transplantation can improve heart function, reduce symptoms, and prolong survival.
Veins
Vein donation provides vascular tissue used to restore circulation in people with blocked or damaged blood vessels. Donated veins are commonly used in bypass surgery, trauma repair, or reconstruction following vascular disease. Recipients frequently include individuals with critical limb ischemia, coronary artery disease, or complications from diabetes. Vein grafting can prevent tissue loss, relieve pain, and reduce life-threatening complications.
Ligaments
Ligament donation provides connective tissue used to repair structural injuries that compromise joint stability. Donated ligaments are often used in reconstructive surgeries following sports injuries, trauma, or degenerative disease. Recipients typically include individuals with torn ACLs, rotator cuff damage, or instability that cannot be corrected through physical therapy alone. Transplantation can restore movement, prevent future injury, and support long-term recovery.
How to Register
Registering to donate isquick, simple & critical.
When you register:
Join the Registry.
Save Lives
- It’s Easy.
- It’s Flexible.
- It's Extraordinary.
