Who Can Donate?

A single organ donor can save multiple lives and there are over 119,000 patients on a waiting list for a transplant at any given time. The idea of donation can be daunting, however, and you might think you’ll need certain prerequisites to be considered. You may be pleased to discover that the requirements for being an organ donor are not at all stringent.

Who Can Donate?

The truth is that anyone can be a donor, regardless of age, gender, health status, and the like. You don’t even have to be alive to donate, as most donations are made by deceased individuals who signed up in life.

You will need parental consent to donate if you’re under the age of 18, but being able to choose your donor status is largely left up to you. If you mean to donate after death, and the organs are healthy, it will take a medical team to determine which organs are good for donation.

Are There Any Special Considerations?

What’s important here is healthy organs. Conditions like being HIV positive and having active cancer growth can prevent you from donating whether you’re alive or not. Others, like heart disease and diabetes, make a definite obstacle for the living.

Most health conditions and diseases won’t get in the way of a donation, but it’s best to talk to a physician – or transplant team, if you plan on undergoing the process – to know for sure that you’re capable.

Organ donors aren’t usually in great supply, so every willing participant counts. Nobody’s too old or young to sign up, and we know a single donor can be the difference between many lives or deaths. Sign up to be an organ donor today and know your contribution can do the same in the future.

Breathe for Charles dedicates time and effort to help individuals understand the benefits of becoming an organ donor. We encourage you to sign the pledge and help save a life.