Who can donate?
People of all ages may be eligible to donate organs and tissues. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissues can be donated. People who have died by brain death criteria, cessation of brain function usually due to a traumatic injury or stroke, can often donate organs and tissue unless there are other reasons for a medical rule-out. Patients who die after the cessation of heart and lung function following a family’s decision to withdraw ventilatory support can also be considered for organ donation – this is referred to as Donation After Cardiac Death (DCD). Tissue donation is different from organ donation in that many more people are likely to be eligible for tissue donation. Tissue can be recovered from donors up to 24 hours after death has be determined by either brain death or cardiac death criteria.
All potential donors must be at least 17 years old to donate, 16 with parental consent. • You must bring a valid picture ID prior to donation. • Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds. 16 year old donors must weigh 122 pounds. • Potential donors must be in general good health, without any cold or flu symptoms. • Learn more about donating blood.
