Q: Who can become an organ and tissue donor?

A: Anyone can decide to be a donor. A person’s physical condition, not his or her age, determines the potential for organ and tissue donation and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the time of death. Visit your local Motor Vehicle Agency and ask for the donor designation to be added to your driver’s license or ID card and let your family see that you support organ donation. Also visit www.donatelifenj.org to pre-register for the on-line registry—coming soon!

Q: Which organs can be donated?

A: Currently, someone may be able to donate his or her heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine depending on their age, medical condition and circumstances at the time of death. Many patients who are organ donors may also be candidates for tissue donation following the organ recovery.

Q: Is there an age limit for donation?

A: There is no age limit for organ donation. NJ Sharing Network has successfully procured organs from donors as young as a few days to adults in their 90s. A patient's medical history is more important than the age of the donor. If a patient has a normal functioning organ and is in good health, then organ donation is certainly an option.

Q: How are donated organs allocated?

A: They are allocated on the following criteria: match with donor, medical emergency and time on waiting list. A patient’s age, gender, race, ethnicity or wealth do not affect who receives available organs.

Q: Will my family be charged for organ donation, and will donation affect funeral arrangements?

A: No. There are no costs to the family for donation. Organ and tissue donation does not interfere with customary funeral plans, including those with open casket viewings.

Q: Can my relatives make the donation decision?

A: In the absence of the donor designation or if an individual is under 18, the family is responsible for making all decisions regarding donation. This is why you should talk to your family about your wishes.

Q: When must organs be recovered?

A: Organs are recovered as soon as possible after the determination of brain death. The ventilator (breathing machine) will continue to provide oxygen to the organs until arrangements are made for the organ recovery surgery. Tissue may be removed within 12 to 24 hours.

Q: What kind of diseases affect donation?

A: Presence of active cancer, active HIV or active infection would absolutely rule-out donation. If a person has a history of Hepatitis, more information would need to be obtained at the time of death. Patients who have Hepatitis C may still donate organs to a patient who also has Hepatitis C. The same is true for Hepatitis B - but this happens less frequently.

Q: How successful are organ transplants?

A: Success rates for vital organs average 80 - 90 percent, and over 90 percent for various types of tissue transplants.

Q: Do all religions support organ and tissue donation?

A: Yes. Every major religion supports donation and considers it the greatest gift a person can give.

Q: Isn’t it true that organs can be “bought” by the wealthy and the powerful?

A. Organs are computer matched according to compatibility of donor and recipient tissue, determined by various tests, waiting time, and the medical need of the recipient. Social or financial data are not part of the computer database and therefore, are not factors in the determination of who receives and organ.

Q: Will my own medical care be compromised if the hospital is aware that I have an organ donor designation on my license?

A. The decision to be an organ donor will in no way affect the level of medical care for a sick or injured person. The team of doctors and nurses involved in treating the patient is not involved with the transplant/recovery team, which is called only after death has occurred.

Q: Do I have to renew my organ donor designation every time my license is renewed?

A: Yes. Every time you renew your license, be sure to indicate your donor designation.