Learn About Changing Your Organ Donor Status

What Is Organ Donation and How Does Registration Work?

Organ donation is the process of giving one or more of your organs or tissues to someone who needs a transplant. When you register as an organ donor, you're giving permission for your organs and tissues to be removed after you die and used to help people waiting for transplants. In the United States, about 17 people die every day waiting for a transplant they don't receive, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Currently, there are more than 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list.

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Registration means your wishes are documented in an official registry. When you register, your name is added to your state's donor registry or database. This registration becomes part of your medical records and can be verified by hospitals and transplant coordinators. Different states have different registries, so where you register depends on where you live or have a driver's license.

The process of how donated organs work is straightforward. When someone registered as a donor passes away, hospital staff inform an organ procurement organization (OPO). The OPO then verifies the person's donor status and talks with family members. If the person registered, their wishes are honored. Organs are surgically removed, tested for safety and compatibility, and transported to hospitals where people are waiting. A single donor can help up to eight people receive organ transplants.

Registration protects your wishes by putting them in an official system. Without registration, hospitals typically ask family members what you would have wanted. Family members sometimes refuse donation even when the person would have wanted to donate. Registration removes this uncertainty. Your family members will know your decision was official and documented.

Practical Takeaway: Registration is a straightforward way to document your wishes about organ donation. Understanding what registration means and how it works is the first step in making an informed decision about whether donor status is right for you.

Where and How to Change Your Donor Status

Changing your donor status can be done through several different methods, depending on where you live and what you prefer. The most common way is through your state's organ donor registry. Every state has an official registry where you can register as a donor or change your status. You can usually find your state's registry by searching online for "[your state name] organ donor registry." Most state registries allow you to register online through their websites in just a few minutes.

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Many people change their donor status when getting or renewing a driver's license. At the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you can indicate whether you want to be an organ donor. This happens when you apply for or renew your license. Some states place a special mark or notation on your driver's license itself that shows you are registered. Other states keep the information in their registry but don't display it on the license. You can typically change your answer about organ donation each time you renew your license.

Another method is through your healthcare provider or hospital system. Many hospitals and clinics have forms where you can register as a donor. You can ask your doctor's office if they can help you register or change your status. Some health systems have websites where registered patients can update their donor information online.

You can also register through national online platforms. Several websites allow you to register as an organ donor and create a profile that can be verified by transplant organizations. These platforms send your information to your state's registry. The process typically takes less than five minutes and requires basic information like your name, address, date of birth, and driver's license number.

If you want to remove yourself from the donor registry or change your decision, you can also do this through the same methods. Contact your state's registry directly, update your information at the DMV, or use the online platform you registered through to remove or modify your donor status.

Practical Takeaway: You have multiple convenient options for changing your donor status, from the DMV to online registries to your doctor's office. Choose the method that works best for your schedule and comfort level.

Understanding Your Rights and Options as a Donor

When you register as an organ donor, you retain certain rights and have control over your decision. First, you can change your mind at any time. Donor registration is not permanent or binding. If you register today and change your mind next year, you can remove yourself from the registry. Your decision is yours to make and remake whenever you wish. No one can force you to donate, and changing your decision is always possible.

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You also have the option to specify which organs and tissues you want to donate. Not all donors want to donate all organs and tissues. Some people are comfortable donating organs like hearts, kidneys, and livers, but may not want to donate eyes or tissue. When you register, you may be able to note specific organs or tissues you do or do not want to donate. If your state's registry doesn't allow this level of detail online, you can discuss your preferences with family members and document them in writing.

Your family members should know about your decision. Even though registration documents your wishes, talking with family is important. If your family doesn't know you registered as a donor, they may struggle with the decision after you pass away. Many families feel comforted knowing they are honoring someone's documented wishes. About 90% of Americans support organ donation, but only about 60% are registered as donors. Part of this gap is that families don't always know what their loved ones wanted.

Your religious or cultural beliefs are also important to consider. Different religions have different perspectives on organ donation. Some religious traditions fully support it, while others have specific guidelines about how it should happen. Research what your faith tradition teaches about organ donation. Many major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism, support organ donation as an act of charity. If you have concerns based on your beliefs, you can speak with a religious leader or counselor before making your decision.

You should also know that being registered as a donor does not affect the quality of medical care you receive if you become ill or injured. Doctors will always try to save your life, whether or not you are on the donor registry. Organ donation only happens after death is determined by medical professionals. Your registered donor status has no bearing on emergency treatment or life-saving medical decisions.

Practical Takeaway: You have significant control over your donor status and can change it whenever you wish. Talk with family members about your decision and consider your personal, religious, or cultural beliefs before registering.

Different Types of Donation and What You Should Know

There are different categories of organ donation, and understanding them helps you make an informed decision. The most common type is donation after brain death. Brain death occurs when a person's brain stops functioning completely, even though machines may keep their heart beating and lungs working. When brain death is declared by doctors, the person is legally deceased. Their organs can be recovered because blood flow is still reaching them, which keeps them in better condition for transplant. About 20% of organ donors donate after brain death.

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Another category is donation after circulatory death, which accounts for about 10% of organ donations. In this situation, a person's heart and breathing have stopped, and they cannot be resuscitated. After a waiting period following the stoppage of heartbeat and breathing, the person is declared dead, and organs can be recovered. The organs must be recovered quickly in this case because they receive less blood flow than in brain death donation.

Living donation is also possible. A living person can donate one kidney, part of their liver, or other renewable tissues while still alive. Living donors are usually family members, friends, or altruistic strangers. Living donation can happen while the donor is alive, which means the transplant can be scheduled in advance. Living donors experience surgery and recovery time but can live a normal, healthy life with one kidney or with a reduced liver capacity. Living donation accounts for about 30% of all organ donations.

You should also understand the difference between organ donation and tissue donation. Organ donation typically refers to vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Tissue donation includes corneas, skin, bone, cartilage, heart valves, and tendons. Tissues can be recovered for a longer period after death than organs, sometimes up to 24 hours. This means tissue donation may be possible even if organ donation is not. You can specify whether you want to donate organs, tissues, or both.

It's worth noting that donation eligibility depends on health status, not age. People in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s have been organ donors. Even people with medical conditions may be able to donate some organs. The transplant team will evaluate whether specific organs are suitable for transpl