On average, it takes over 250 people to make one organ transplant happen. From the donor family who says yes when asked about donation and the nurse at the bedside, to the lab technician running tests and the person filling the jet with fuel so it can transport an organ to the waiting patient – each person has a vital role in saving a life. The donation process itself may take between 12 to 24 hours or more, due to the matching process and the delicate surgery involved.
LifeCenter Northwest works with United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to find suitable recipients based on many factors. UNOS manages a computerized network for impartially matching organ donors with potential transplant recipients. At the time of donation, potential transplant recipients are matched in priority based upon criteria such as severity of illness, length of time on the waiting list, blood type, and size of the organ. Genetic tissue matching is a key factor for kidney and pancreas transplants, where a match is critical in minimizing the risk of organ rejection. Transplant waiting times can vary from a few months to years.
There is no discrimination because of age, sex, race, or financial status when determining who receives an organ—and human organs cannot be bought or sold in the U.S., according to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act of 1984. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.
Organs must be transplanted within 4 to 48 hours, depending on the organ, and LifeCenter Northwest works to find matching recipients as quickly as possible, in order to save more lives.
The surgical recovery of organs takes place in the hospital operating room, and donors are treated with dignity and respect throughout the donation process. After recovery of the organs in the operating room, the donor's body is taken to a funeral home of the family's choice (or first to the coroner or medical examiner if an autopsy is required).
The donation of organs and tissues allows for the observation of end-of-life rituals and funeral arrangements, including the option of an open casket funeral. Funeral expenses (and hospital costs prior to the determination of brain death) are the responsibility of the donor's family, but LifeCenter Northwest pays for all donation-related expenses.
Soon after donation, the donor's family will receive a letter from LifeCenter Northwest with general information about the organ recipients.
There are two ways that people die: circulatory death and brain death. Both brain death and circulatory death are formal, legal definitions of death.
Circulatory death is the irreversible loss of function of the heart and lungs. Brain death is the irreversible loss of function of the brain and brain stem. Brain death occurs when brain function ceases because the flow of blood to the brain is stopped permanently due to a severe injury to the brain.
When this happens, all brain function stops, including the most primitive life-sustaining reflexes, such as the ability to breathe, gag, or respond to pain. The ventilator (a device for maintaining artificial respiration) is all that keeps the heart beating and oxygen flowing.
Determination of Brain DeathA physician performs a series of tests to determine if brain death has occurred. The doctor also performs tests to rule out any other reason that could be causing the brain to not function, such as medical conditions, medications, or extreme cold.
Once a patient has been declared brain dead, there is no chance for recovery. They no longer have any sensations and can feel no pain. They have normal color and warm skin only because of the ventilator. The chest continues to move up and down with artificial breath because of the ventilator.
If a patient is not on a ventilator, breathing and the beating of the heart will stop. It is possible that there will be jerking or movement of the extremities, but these are not related to brain function.
Time of DeathThe legal time of death is when the doctor has written their diagnosis of brain death on the medical chart. The discontinuation of the ventilator does not cause death.
Donation after Circulatory DeathSome people with non-survivable injuries to the brain never become brain dead because they retain some minor brain stem function. In these circumstances donation after circulatory death might be an option. The option of donating organs after circulatory death may be presented to these families after it is clear that their loved one cannot survive. Donation in such cases entails taking the patient off ventilated support. Once the patient's heart stops beating, the physician declares the patient dead and organs can be removed for transplant.
One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation—and they can improve the lives of over a hundred people through tissue donation. Recipients might need a transplanted organ for any number of reasons, from disease to congenital defects to simple wear-and-tear.
The following information will help you understand more about organs and tissue that can be donated:
Heart
Over 2,600 people are waiting for a heart transplant nationwide. Some conditions that might make a transplant necessary are cardiomyopathy, heart failure, myocarditis, and heart disease. The heart can be preserved outside of the body for 4 to 6 hours before transplant into a recipient. Transplants are blood typed and matched for the size and weight of the donor.
Liver
Some conditions that could make a liver transplant necessary are birth defects of the liver or bile duct, chronic liver infections like hepatitis, or drug and alcohol damage. The liver can be preserved outside of the body for 4 to 16 hours. Transplants are blood typed and matched for the size and weight of donor. A donated liver can sometimes be split between two recipients, so one donor can be the source of two liver transplants.
Pancreas
The pancreas controls the level of glucose in the blood, and it is often transplanted with a kidney because diabetes affects both organs. Conditions that could make a pancreas transplant necessary are diabetes or pancreas failure. The pancreas can be preserved outside of the body for 2 to 14 hours before transplant into a recipient. Transplants are blood typed and matched for the size and weight of the donor.
Lung
A single lung can save a life—and one donor can be the source of two separate lung transplants. Some conditions that could make a lung transplant necessary are cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, and pulmonary edema. Lungs can be preserved outside of the body for 4 to 6 hours. Transplants are blood typed and matched for the size and weight of donor.
Kidney
Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ—and the most in need. While waiting for a kidney transplant, many patients can undergo daily dialysis treatments to clean toxins out of blood. Some conditions that could make a kidney transplant necessary are high blood pressure, diabetes, and cystic kidney disease. Kidneys can be preserved outside of the body for up to 36 hours before transplant into a recipient. Transplants are blood typed and matched for the size and weight of donor.
Intestine
Most intestinal transplants are preformed on infants and children. Some conditions that could make a transplant necessary are twisted or blocked intestines or short-gut syndrome. The intestine can be preserved outside of the body for 8 to 16 hours before transplant into a recipient. Transplants are blood typed and matched for the size and weight of donor.
Every year over 750,000 lives are enriched through tissue donation. Donated heart valves can replace damaged ones, allowing the heart to function well again. Musculoskeletal tissue replaces bone, tendons and ligaments lost to cancer, severe trauma, degenerative joint disease, arthritis, and other conditions. Skin can save the lives of burn victims.
Heart Valves
Heart valves can be recovered when the whole heart is determined not to be viable for transplant. Donated human vessels and valves are used as replacements and can mean the difference between life and death to recipients.
Upper Body Bone
The humerus, radius, and ulna are bones in the arm that can be transplanted. Bones can be transplanted in order to prevent amputation, promote healing, maintain mobility, and provide structure. After the bone and soft tissues are recovered, procurement technicians replace the bone with prosthetics.
Veins
Many people lose circulation in their legs, or even in their heart, due to disease or trauma. Donated veins can restore circulation in heart bypass surgeries and help prevent leg amputation for people suffering poor circulation.
Skin
Skin can be used to aid the healing process for severe burn victims, or for those who suffer from a disfiguring injury or disease. Donated skin grafts protect recipients from infection while promoting regeneration of their own skin.
Bone & Connective Tissue
The gift of bone and connective tissue helps individuals with various orthopedic and neurosurgical conditions. In all, over one hundred people may benefit from the gift of bone and connective tissue donation from a single donor. These tissues are used in a variety of back, joint, and leg surgeries, such as hip replacement, knee reconstruction, and spinal fusion. After the bone and soft tissues are recovered, procurement technicians replace the bone with prosthetics.
Eye
Over 46,000 people a year have their sight restored through corneal transplant, and one eye donor can help up to 10 people. Not only is the cornea used, the sclera (the white part of the eye) is needed for ocular graft surgery in the treatment of eye disease. Anyone can be an eye donor. Cataracts, poor eyesight, and age do not prohibit eye donation.
Cornea
The cornea is the clear window to the eye. It is about the size of a contact lens. Traumatic accidents to the eye, infections, and inherited eye diseases like Keratoconus are just a few reasons cornea donation can fill such a great need. Almost anyone can donate their corneas, even individuals with diabetes or cancer. Corneal transplants have a success rate that exceeds 95%.
Whole Globe
After the cornea has been recovered, the sclera (the white part of the eye) can be utilized to repair eyelids and reinforce the wall of the eye. Sclera can be used to repair ruptured ear drums, which restores hearing.
Living Kidney Donation
A living person can choose to give a kidney to someone in need through organ donation. A kidney can be donated to a friend or relative, or to any person on the waiting list in greatest need.
For more information on living donation, contact the organizations below:
Blood Donation is the process by which blood is voluntarily drawn to be stored in a blood bank to help those suffering from a traumatic injury, blood related disease, and cancers, and those needing an organ or marrow transplant. For more information on giving blood, contact the organizations below:
Marrow Donation is the process by which the spongy material found inside bone is removed. The marrow contains immature stem cells that can develop into different types of blood cells for the purpose of carrying oxygen to the body, clotting blood, and fighting infection. For more information on giving marrow, contact the organizations below:
Whole Body Donation is when the entire body is donated to science after death. By agreeing to research when registering donation wishes for organ, eye, and tissue donation, you are not agreeing to whole body donation. For more information on whole body donation, contact the organizations below:
We have worked with thousands of donor families. So many of them have selflessly shared their stories with us—and we've seen firsthand that donation can bring great comfort during a time of terrible grief.
By continuing to share these stories, we hope to save more lives through organ and tissue donation across Alaska, North Idaho, Montana, and Washington.
We are always eager to share more stories of lives impacted by donation in the Northwest. If you are interested in telling your donation story please contact us info@lcnw.com.
Most major religions in the U.S. support organ and tissue donation as a humanitarian and selfless act of giving. To give one's organs means to give expression to a true, deep act of love for one's neighbor.
Many faith leaders believe that donation is a matter of individual decision, and they respect an individual's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body.
In your spiritual or religious community, you may have the opportunity to make a profound impact on donation. While many charitable acts involve financial donation or a great deal of effort, the donation of organs, eyes, and tissue offers the opportunity to express our highest humanitarian ideals with a decision that takes only love.
You can raise awareness in your congregation by helping them understand that donation is supported by your spiritual beliefs. Some possibilities include dedicating a short segment of your worship service to a heartwarming, in-person story of an individual touched by donation, a 3-minute video, a sacred text reference, a bulletin insert, or distribution of registry brochures.
If you are interested in resources or scheduling a date to share a life-saving message of hope with your congregation, please contact us at 1-877-275-5269 or info@lcnw.org.
AME & AME Zion (African Methodist Episcopal)
Organ and tissue donation is viewed as an act of neighborly love and charity by these denominations. They encourage all members to support donation as a way of helping others.
Amish
The Amish will consent to transplantation if they believe it is for the well being of the transplant recipient. John Hostetler, world-renowned authority on Amish religion and professor of anthropology at Temple University in Philadelphia, says in his book, Amish Society, "The Amish believe that since God created the human body, it is God who heals. However, nothing in the Amish understanding of the Bible forbids them from using modern medical services, including surgery, hospitalization, dental work, anesthesia, blood transfusions or immunization."
Assembly of God
The Church has no official policy regarding organ and tissue donation. The decision to donate is left up to the individual. Donation is highly supported by the denomination.
Baptist
Organ and tissue donation is supported as an act of charity. The Baptist Church leaves the decision up to the individual. The nation's largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, adopted a resolution in 1988 encouraging physicians to request organ donation in appropriate circumstances and to "…encourage voluntarism regarding organ donation in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the needs of others and alleviating suffering."
Brethren
While no official position has been taken by the Brethren denominations, according to Pastor Mike Smith, there is a consensus among the National Fellowship of Grace Brethren that organ and tissue donation is a charitable act so long as it does not impede the life or hasten the death of the donor or does not come from an unborn child.
Buddhism
Buddhists believe organ and tissue donation is a matter of individual conscience and place a high value on acts of compassion. Reverend Gyomay Masao, president and founder of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago says, "We honor those people who donate their bodies and organs to the advancement of medical science and to saving lives." The importance of letting loved ones know your wishes is stressed.
Catholicism
Catholics view organ and tissue donation as an act of love. Transplants are morally and ethically acceptable to the Vatican. Father Leroy Wickowski, Director of the Office of Health Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago says, "We encourage donation as an act of charity. It is something good that can result from tragedy and a way for families to find comfort by helping others." Pope John Paul II stated, "The Catholic Church would promote the fact that there is a need for organ donors and Christians should accept this as a "challenge to their generosity and fraternal love" so long as ethical principles are followed." As well, newly elected Pope Benedict XVI told an interviewer he has been a card-carrying donor for years, saying "to donate one's organs is an act of love…"
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church encourages organ and tissue donation, stating that we were created for God's glory and for sharing God's love. A 1985 resolution, adopted by the General Assembly, encourages, "… members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to enroll as organ donors and prayerfully support those who have received an organ transplant."
Christian Science
The Church of Christ Scientist does not have a specific position regarding organ donation. According to the First Church of Christ Scientist in Boston, Christian Scientists normally rely on spiritual instead of medical means of healing. They are free, however, to choose whatever form of medical treatment they desire – including a transplant. The question of organ and tissue donation is an individual decision.
The Church of the Nazarene
The Church of the Nazarene encourages its members who do not object personally to support donor/recipient anatomical organs through living wills and trusts. Further, they appeal for a morally and ethically fair distribution of organs to those qualified to receive them (Manual, Church of the Nazarene 1997 – 2001 paragraph 904.2).
Episcopal
The Episcopal Church passed a resolution in 1982 that recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ, blood and tissue donation. All Christians are encouraged to become organ, blood and tissue donors "…as part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life, that we may have life in its fullness."
Greek Orthodox
According to Reverend Dr. Milton Efthimiou, Director of the Department of Church and Society for the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America, the Greek Orthodox Church is not opposed to organ donation as long as the organs and tissue in question are used to better human life, i.e., for transplantation or for research that will lead to improvements in the treatment and prevention of disease.
Hinduism
According to the Hindu Temple Society of North America, religious law does not prohibit Hindus from donating organs. It is an individual's decision. H.L. Trivedi, in Transplantation Proceedings, stated that, "Hindu mythology has stories in which the parts of the human body are used for the benefit of other humans and society. There is nothing in the Hindu religion indicating that parts of humans, dead or alive, cannot be used to alleviate the suffering of others."
Independent Conservative Evangelical
Evangelicals typically aren't opposed to donation. The decision to donate is up to the individual.
Islam
The religion of Islam strongly believes in the principle of saving human lives. According to A. Sachedina in his Transplantation Proceedings (1990) article, Islamic Views on Organ Transplantation, "…the majority of the Muslim scholars belonging to various schools of Islamic law have invoked the principle of the priority of saving human life and have permitted the organ transplant as a necessity to procure that noble end."
Jehovah's Witness
According to the Watch Tower Society, Jehovah's Witnesses believe donation is a matter of individual decision. Jehovah's Witnesses are often assumed to be against donation because of their opposition to blood transfusions. However, this merely means that all blood must be removed from the organs and tissue before being transplanted
Judaism
All four branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist) encourage donation. According to Orthodox Rabbi Moses Tendler, Chairman of the Biology Department of Yeshiva University in New York City and Chairman of the Bioethics Commission of the Rabbinical Council of America, "If one is in the position to donate an organ to save another's life, it's obligatory to do so, even if the donor never knows who the beneficiary will be. The basic principle of Jewish ethics, ‘the infinite worth of the human being,' also includes donation of corneas, since eyesight restoration is considered a lifesaving operation." In 1991, the Rabbinical Council of America (Orthodox) approved organ donation as a virtual requirement from brain-dead patients. The Reform movement looks upon the transplant program favorably, and Rabbi Richard Address, Director of the Union of America Hebrew Congregation Bio-Ethics Committee and Committee on Older Adults, states that "Judaic Responsa materials provide a positive approach, and by and large the North American Reform Jewish community approves of transplantation."
The Lutheran Church of America
Lutherans passed a resolution in 1984 stating that donation contributes to the well being of humanity and can be "an expression of sacrificial love for a neighbor in need." They call on "members to consider donating… and to make any necessary family and legal arrangements, including the use of a signed donor card."
Mennonite
Mennonites have no formal position on donation, but are not opposed to it. They believe the decision to donate is up to the individual and/or his or her family.
Moravian
The Moravian Church has made no statement addressing organ and tissue donation or transplantation. Robert E. Sawyer, President, Provincial Elders Conference, Moravian Church of America, Southern Province, states, "There is nothing in our doctrine or policy that would prevent a Moravian pastor from assisting a family in making a decision to donate or not to donate an organ." It is, therefore, a matter of individual choice.
Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes the decision to donate is an individual one made in conjunction with family, medical personnel and prayer. The church's official statement: "The donation of organs and tissues is a selfless act that often results in great benefit to individuals with medical conditions. The decision to will or donate one's own body organs or tissue for medical purposes, or the decision to authorize the transplant of organs or tissue from a deceased family member, is made by the individual or the deceased member's family. The decision to receive a donated organ should be made after receiving competent medical counsel and confirmation through prayer."
Pentecostal
Pentecostals believe that the decision to donate should be left up to the individual.
Presbyterian
Presbyterians encourage and support donation. They respect a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body.
Protestant
Protestants encourage and endorse organ donation. The Protestant faith respects an individual's conscience and a person's right to make decisions regarding his or her own body. Reverend James W. Rassbach, Lutheran Board of Communication Services, Missouri-Synod, says "We accept and believe that our Lord Jesus Christ came to give life and give it in abundance. Organ donations enable more abundant life, alleviate pain and suffering and are an expression of love in times of tragedy."
Roma/Romany (known in past as Gypsies)
Roma are a people of different ethnic groups without a formalized religion. They share common folk beliefs and tend to oppose organ donation. Their opposition is connected with their beliefs about the afterlife. Traditional belief contends that for one year after death the soul retraces its steps. Thus, the body must remain intact because the soul maintains its physical shape.
Seventh-Day Adventist
Donation and transplantation are strongly encouraged. They have many transplant hospitals, including Loma Linda in California, which specializes in pediatric heart transplants.
Shinto
In Shinto, the dead body is considered to be impure and dangerous, and thus quite powerful. "In old belief context, injuring a dead body is a serious crime…" according to E. Namihira in his article, Shinto Concept Concerning the Dead Human Body. "To this day it is difficult to obtain consent from bereaved families for organ donation or dissection for medical education or pathological anatomy… the Japanese regard them all in the sense of injuring a dead body." Families are often concerned that they not injure the itai, the relationship between the dead person and the bereaved people.
Society of Friends (Quakers)
Organ and tissue donation is widely believed to be an individual decision. The Society of Friends does not have an official position on donation.
Unitarian Universalist
Organ and tissue donation is widely supported by Unitarian Universalists. They view it as an act of love and selfless giving.
United Church of Christ
Reverend Jay Lintner, Director, Washington Office of the United Church of Christ Office for Church in Society, states, "United Church of Christ people, churches and agencies are extremely and overwhelmingly supportive of organ sharing. The General Synod has never spoken to this issue because, in general, the Synod speaks on more controversial issues, and there is no controversy about organ sharing, just as there is no controversy about blood donation in the denomination. Any organized effort to get the General Synod delegates or individual churches to sign organ donation cards would meet with generally positive responses."
United Methodist
The United Methodist Church issued a policy statement regarding organ and tissue donation. In it they state, "The United Methodist Church recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation, and thereby encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors by signing and carrying donor cards or a driver's license, attesting to their commitment of such organs upon their death to those in need, as a part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life that we might have life in its fullness." A 1992 resolution states, "Donation is to be encouraged, assuming appropriate safeguards against hastening death and determination of death by reliable criteria." The resolution further states, "Pastoral-care persons should be willing to explore these options as a normal part of conversation with patients and their families."
Wesleyan Church
The Wesleyan Church supports donation as a way of helping others. They believe that God's "ability to resurrect us is not dependent on whether or not all our parts were connected at death." They also support research and in 1989 noted in a task force on public morals and social concerns that "one of the ways that a Christian can do good is to request that their body be donated to a medical school for use in teaching."
Myths and misconceptions persist about organ and tissue donation despite continuing education efforts. A recent survey commissioned by Donate Life America of 5,100 adults identified prevailing misconceptions that are shared by many Americans:
The following facts will dispel some of these myths and misconceptions, and help you better understand organ, eye, and tissue donation:
Fact:
The number of individuals in need of transplants continues to grow but the number of people who register to be a donor is not keeping pace.
Fact:
Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.
Fact:
Every 80 minutes a patient passes away due to the shortage of available organs for transplant.
Fact:
Transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of similar ethnic backgrounds. Ethnic minorities wait twice
as long as white Americans for kidney transplants.
Fact:
Most major religions in the United States support organ, eye, and tissue donation, seeing it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.
Fact:
If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is saving your life. Organ, eye, and tissue donation can only be
considered after you are deceased.
Fact:
There is no discrimination due to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, occupation, social status, financial status, or any other factor when
determining who gives or receives an organ.
Fact:
An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye, and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect,
and dignity.
Fact:
There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Fact:
Agreeing to donation for research when registering donation wishes for organ, eye, and tissue donation, does not include whole body donation.
Ethnic minorities are facing a public health crisis and are in desperate need of more organ, eye, and tissue donors. Minorities make up only 34% of the U.S. population, but they represent over 54% of the national organ transplant waiting list.
This disparity exists for a number of reasons: First, many of the conditions leading to the need for a transplant—such as diabetes a nd hypertension—occur more frequently among minority populations. African Americans and other minorities are also three times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than white Americans.
Second, transplant success rates increase when organs are matched between members of similar ethnic backgrounds—but unfortunately, only 30% of donors are ethnic minorities. This creates a shortage of matching organs, which leads to longer waiting periods and higher death rates in communities of color. For example, minorities make up 61% of the kidney waiting list, but minority patients wait twice as long as white Americans for kidney transplants, despite strict equal-access regulations that ensure ethical and equitable distribution of organs.
LifeCenter Northwest is working to reach out to Latino, Asian, African-American, and other minority communities to help combat this problem and build support for a culture of donation. Our diversity program serves all communities, regardless of ethnicity, sexual identity, spiritual practice, ability, or socio-economic status. We are committed to developing and maintaining relationships in every community we serve.
Take Action!
It is through partners in the community that we are able to share the importance of donation; educate, answer questions, and register your community to be donors. Invite LifeCenter Northwest to speak to your group. We offer relevant education and information tailored to your community. To learn more about how you can partner with LifeCenter Northwest in our multicultural outreach, contact us at info@lcnw.org
Accessing the donor registry through a mobile phone device is for new registrations.
To update or set limitations to your donor registry profile, or to remove yourself from the donor registry, you will need to access our website of www.lcnw.org through a laptop/personal computer, or contact us at 1-877-275-5269.