Q: I would like to become an organ donor. What organs and tissues can be donated?

Ask Our Expert about Organ Donation

About Our Expert

Michael J. Moritz, M.D., is a transplant specialist and chief of transplantation surgery at Lehigh Valley Health Network. He's part of the region's only Transplant Center for kidney, pancreas, kidney-pancreas and pancreas-after-kidney transplants. He understands the wait for a matching organ can be difficult and the center provides comprehensive physical and emotional care during this time. The center provides the appropriate follow-up care essential to remaining healthy after organ transplantation surgery.

• I would like to become an organ donor. What organs and tissues can be donated?
• Who will get my organs, and can I choose the recipient?
• Are there age limits to being a donor?
• Is it true that I have to register to be an organ donor?
• I've heard that organ donation is against some religions? Is that true?
• Will my care change if a doctor knows I am an organ donor?
• Does being a donor hinder funeral arrangements?
• Will I have to pay if I want to donate my organs?
• Who do I call for more information about becoming an organ donor?

Q: I would like to become an organ donor. What organs and tissues can be donated?

A: There are two categories of donation - living and deceased. Living donors can donate a kidney and sections of the liver, lungs and intestine. Deceased donors can give their heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, corneas, bones, heart valves, tendons, veins, blood vessels and skin.

Q: Who will get my organs, and can I choose the recipient?

A: There are nearly 100,000 people awaiting organ transplants in the United States. There are about 25,000 organ transplants a year. About 7,000 of those organs come from living donors who typically donate organs to family members and friends, although there are some altruistic donors who are willing to donate a kidney to a complete stranger. The remainder are from the more than 8,000 deceased donors each year, whose organs are distributed to patients through a regional and national computer registry based on medical need, time on the waiting list and the best medical match.

Q: Are there age limits to being a donor?

A: For living donors, you must be over 18 years old, under 65 years old and in good health. For deceased donors, donor suitability is determined at the person's time of death and varies with each organ and tissue.

Q: Is it true that I have to register to be an organ donor?

A: Most states, including Pennsylvania, offer holders of a drivers' license or photo ID the opportunity to designate their wish to be an organ donor and to update their designation online. You must also tell your family so they can carry out your wishes in the event of your death. You should sign and carry a donor card and include a statement about your donation in your living will. For more information, visit donors1.org.

Q: I've heard that organ donation is against some religions? Is that true?

A: All major organized religions support organ and tissue donation to save lives.

Q: Will my care change if a doctor knows I am an organ donor?

A: No. You will receive the same care, and physicians will do everything possible to ensure your organs are in the best possible condition for donation. Furthermore, your care team and the transplant team operate independently and have nothing to do with each unless death has been declared.

Q: Does being a donor hinder funeral arrangements?

A: The recovery of organs and tissues is carried out in an operating room using surgical procedures. Donation doesn't delay funeral arrangements and doesn't prevent a normal viewing.

Q: Will I have to pay if I want to donate my organs?

A: No, the costs are ultimately passed down to the recipients of the organs.

Q: Who do I call for more information about becoming an organ donor?

A: For more information, contact the Gift of Life Donor Program, our regional organ and tissue donor program, at 1-888-DONORS1 or visit them at donors1.org.

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