Facts & Myths

Overview

One organ donor can save up to eight lives. The same person can help up to 75 more through tissue and cornea donation. Right now, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ. Every nine minutes, one more person joins the waiting list.

Many myths get in the way of registering. Doctors will not let you die because you are a donor. Age does not stop you. You do not have to be in perfect health. Most major religions support donation. Wealth does not move anyone up the list. Open-casket funerals are usually still possible. None of the most common myths hold up.

What the facts actually are

The power of organ donation

A single donor can transform multiple lives. Consider these facts:

• One organ donor saves up to 8 lives through heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines
• One tissue donor helps up to 75 people through corneas, skin, bone, and heart valves
• More than 100,000 people are currently waiting for transplants
• Every 9 minutes, another person is added to the waiting list

Each transplant represents a second chance at life for someone facing organ failure. Heart recipients gain restored circulation and extended lifespan. Kidney recipients often return to dialysis-free living.

Corneal transplants restore vision to people with scarring or dystrophy. Bone grafts repair trauma and arthritis damage. Skin grafts help burn victims heal without scarring. The organ shortage remains critical—over 17 people die daily waiting for transplants in the United States.

Medical myths

Myth: doctors won't save you if you're a donor

This persistent myth is completely false. Your medical care is never influenced by your donor status.

When hospitalized, doctors focus entirely on saving your life. Healthcare providers have no knowledge of your donor status during emergency care. Your donor status becomes relevant only after death is declared by medical professionals—at which point all life-saving efforts have ended.

Emergency physicians and transplant teams operate independently. This separation ensures every patient receives the highest standard of care. Medical ethics codes prohibit considering donor status in treatment decisions. Transplant surgeons only become involved after death is officially declared and families consent to donation.

Myth: you're too old or too sick

Age is not a barrier to organ donation. There is no age limit—people in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and older have successfully donated organs. Some of the most successful transplants come from older donors whose organs are in excellent condition.

Medical professionals evaluate each donor individually based on organ quality, not age. Someone at 75 in excellent health may donate, while someone at 45 with serious conditions may not.

Even with medical conditions, you may still donate:

• Diabetes or high blood pressure. Do not automatically disqualify you
• Cancer patients. May donate corneas or tissue in some cases
• One kidney disease. Patients can donate their other kidney
• Hepatitis C positive. Can donate to matching recipients
• HIV positive. Can donate to other HIV positive recipients

Medical history alone doesn't determine donor viability. The best approach is to register and let medical professionals determine eligibility.

Practical & religious myths

Myth: your religion prohibits donation

Most major religions support organ donation as an act of charity. Here's where major faith traditions stand:

• Catholic Church. Encourages donation as an act of charity
• Protestant denominations. Overwhelmingly support donation
• Jewish faith. Permits and encourages donation to save lives
• Islam. Supports donation as an act of mercy
• Buddhism. Views donation as consistent with compassion
• Hinduism. Sees donation as helping others through karma
• Orthodox Christianity. Permits donation for transplantation

Speak with your religious leader about your faith tradition's stance on donation.

Myth: donation prevents open casket funerals

Organ donation does not prevent open casket funerals. Donor recovery is a respectful surgical procedure, similar to any surgery.

After organs are recovered, the body is treated respectfully and released to a funeral home. Funeral directors can arrange viewing and open casket services. Surgical incisions are closed and concealed under funeral clothing.

Many families find comfort knowing their loved one's donation saved lives while holding traditional funeral services.

Allocation & cost myths

Myth: only rich people get organs

Organ allocation is based on medical need, waiting list time, tissue compatibility, blood type, and location—never on wealth or connections.

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network maintains strict national guidelines for fair distribution. Geographic proximity matters because organs must be transported quickly. A person in a region where an organ is available may receive priority, regardless of income.

Myth: families pay for donation

There is no cost to the donor or family for organ or tissue donation. The recipient's insurance covers organ recovery costs.

Medical expenses for donor hospitalization are the responsibility of the patient or their insurance, as with any medical care. However, the organ and tissue recovery procedure is paid for by the recipient's health insurance and transplant facility.

Key facts to remember

Beyond myth-busting, important donation facts include:

• Cornea donations restore vision in people with corneal disease
• Bone donations repair damage from disease, injury, or surgery
• Skin donations treat severe burns and wounds
• Tissue donation has a longer window than organ donation
• Heart valve donations help patients avoid repeated surgeries
• Cartilage donations restore joint function and mobility

Living donation is possible for kidneys, liver portions, and bone marrow. You can be a registered donor and still receive transplants if needed.

Important donor information

Organs remain viable for <4-6 hours outside the body, requiring sophisticated coordination between hospitals and transplant centers. Tissue donation operates on different timelines—corneas remain viable for up to 14 days, while bone and skin can be preserved for years.

Get started today

Becoming an organ donor is simple and takes minutes:

• Visit RegisterMe.org or your state's registry website
• Register when getting your driver's license or state ID
• Tell your family members about your wishes
• Document your decision in your will or advance directive

Most states allow registration through the DMV or online through state registry systems. Registration is free and takes approximately 2-3 minutes. Family awareness of your wishes is crucial since donation decisions often occur when families are grieving.