Organ and tissue donation

Organ and tissue donation is a lifesaving gift. Every 9 minutes, another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list, and more than 100,000 people are currently waiting for a transplant. 

Join the commitment to save lives

Edward-Elmhurst Health is proud to partner with Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) to help increase awareness about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.

April is National Donate Life Month, and we welcome you to “say, yes” to organ, eye and tissue donation by joining us for a Donor Registration Drive from now through the end of the month. You have the power to save and heal lives through the gift of donation. Add your name to the donor registry today. 

Register as an organ and tissue donor 

Facts about organ and tissue donation 

  • An average of 20 people die every day while waiting for a transplant.
  • There are 106,000+ people in the U.S. who are waiting for an organ transplant.
  • While 95% of American adults support organ donation, only 58% are registered.
  • Only 1% of deaths occur in a manner which allows for donation to take place, so the more donors registered, the greater the opportunity to help others.

By becoming a registered organ and tissue donor, your gift could someday help to:

  • Save up to 8 lives through organ donation
  • Restore sight in up to 2 people through eye donation
  • Heal more than 75 people through tissue donation

Visit www.organdonor.gov to learn more.

Not sure if you are already an organ donor? Check your driver’s license or state ID. If you are already a registered donor, you do not need to register again. If you would like to join the commitment to save lives, register today.

Who can be a donor?

People of all ages and medical histories may be considered potential organ, eye and tissue donors. Your medical condition at the time of death determines what organs and tissue can be donated.

Living donors must be older than age 18 and in good overall physical and mental health. Some medical conditions could prevent someone from being a living donor.

Does registering as a donor change patient care?

Doctors work hard to save every patient’s life. Donation is only an option when there is a complete and irreversible loss of brain function and a patient is declared clinically and legally dead.

Is there a cost to be an organ, eye and tissue donor?

There is no cost to the donor’s family for donation. The family pays only for medical expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.

Why register to be a donor?

The vast majority of Americans support organ and tissue donation as an opportunity to give life and health to others. Unfortunately, many people overlook the important step of registering as a donor.

Your registration as an organ and tissue donor serves as a symbol of hope to patients waiting for a transplant. One donor can save up to 8 lives, restore sight to 2 people through cornea donation, and heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation.