Donations

There are two types of donations: organ and tissue.

For organ donation to occur, the patient must be in a hospital on a ventilator and have been declared deceased due to loss of brain or cardiac function. The organs must be quickly recovered, properly preserved and transplanted quickly. Organs must be carefully matched to waiting recipients. Matching is done according to factors such as blood type, medical status of the recipient and size of the waiting recipient. There are eight organs that may be transplanted: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine.

Tissue donation occurs in the first 24 hours after the heart has stopped beating. The tissues can be preserved and used at a later date. Consequently, there are many more potential tissue donors than organ donors. Tissue recipients do not have to be matched to their donors, as rejection is not generally a concern. Donated tissue is used to treat burn patients, serious abrasions, hernia repairs and in reconstructive surgeries for patients such as breast cancer survivors. Bone is used in orthopedic surgeries to facilitate the healing of fractures or to prevent amputation. Heart valves are used to replace defective valves. Tendons are used to repair torn ligaments on knees or other joints. Veins are used in surgeries. Corneas can restore sight to the blind.

For more information contact one of the organizations below.

www.donatelife.net	www.donatelifewisconsin.org	www.rtidonorservices.org

Donate Life Tissue Donation brochure