What types of organs and tissues can be transplanted?
Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, small intestine, and kidneys. Organs are used in transplantation to replace organs that are severely damaged due to illness, trauma, or birth defects. One organ donor can save up to 7 lives. Tissues that can be donated are bone, skin, tendons, connective tissue, heart valves, and corneas. Tissue is commonly used in patients with sports-related injuries (such as knee reconstruction, torn ACLs, etc.), spinal fusions, eye surgery and skin grafts for the severely burned. One tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 50 people.
