Organ & Tissue Donation

Organ & Tissue DonationGet the Facts

Saving Lives at All Ages

Age does not matter when it comes to organ & tissue donation. Any body at any age could be affected by donations & transplantation.2

The Need for TransplantationMore than 110,000 Americans are waiting for lifesaving organ donors.More than 3,400 in North CarolinaEvery 11 minutes, someone is added to list (100+ people each day)An average of 18 people die daily while waitingMany thousands more need life-restoring tissue transplants1 donor = 25+ recipients

What organs can be transplanted?LiverChronic hepatitisLiver tumorsCirrhosisLungsChronic bronchitisEmphysemaCystic fibrosisIntestinesShort-bowel syndrome

HeartCongenitalCoronaryHypertensive cardiomyopathyPancreasType 1 diabeteKidneysHypertensionDiabetesPolycystic kidney disease

Tissues that Can be DonatedCornea/Eyerestores sight for patients with corneal damageHeart Valvereplaces heart valve for patients with heart defects, infection or damageBone-saves limbs or replaces joints for patients with bone cancer, bone fractures, or degenerative diseasesSoft tissuerepairs or restructures injured tendons and ligamentsVeinreplaces femoral or saphenous veins for patients with vascular disease or diseased/blocked arterieslimb saving measureSkingrafts skin for patients with severe burns or large woundsBlood, Bone Marrow DonationTypes of Living donation3 lives can be saved by 1 pint of bloodEvery 3 seconds someone needs blood6,000 men, women, and children are waiting for a lifesaving bone marrow transplant

The Organ Donation ProcessHow Organs are AllocatedPotential recipients are ranked by:Medical UrgencyBlood/Tissue TypeWaiting TimeBody SizeLocation of Recipient in Relation to DonorHow Long Are Organs Viable?Transplants are SuccessfulMore than 28,000 lifesaving transplant surgeries every yearNearly 1 million life-restoring tissue transplants every yearOn average more than 25 people can benefit from a single donorIf you chose to Donate LifeShare your decision with your familyWhen you turn 18: register withDMV (Drivers License)Donate LifeLife Share of the Carolinas