Organ and Tissue Donors Contribute to Lives of Others

April is Donate Life Month.  What can I contribute by donating organs or tissue?

Organ or tissue donation can represent a gift of life for up to 75 people.  Nearly 100,000 people are on the waiting list for transplants in the United States, and more than 800 of those potential recipients live in Indiana.  Every 12 minutes, another man, woman or child is added to that waiting list, and an average of 18 people die each day awaiting a transplant. Simply put, donation can make a huge difference for many people and your loved ones may find comfort knowing that your wishes to help someone else were fulfilled.

Am I eligible to donate my organs? 

If you elect to donate, your ability to do so will be determined by physicians at the time of your death.  It’s very important to discuss your donation decision with members of your family.

What can I donate while I am still alive?

Many different types of organs are provided by living donors, including single kidneys, segments of the liver, lobes of the lung, and portions of the pancreas. 

Will my funeral arrangements be affected if I donate organs, or will my family incur extra costs? 

Donating organs or tissue does not change the person’s appearance, and customary funeral arrangements should not be a problem.  All costs related to donation are taken care of by the agencies recovering organs or tissue.

Will my body have to be transported elsewhere for me to donate organs or tissue? 

Ball Memorial Hospital is a proud participant in the Donate Life program through the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization (IOPO).  We are one of 17 hospitals in Indiana to be recognized by IOPO in making appropriate referrals, honoring patient and family decisions for donation, and achieving a high rate of organs successfully transplanted per donor.