The organ, eye and tissue process is multifaceted, complex, and often seems a mystery to people who haven’t been directly involved in it. This is why do our best to answer your questions about donation. At the same time, there are many great national donation resources around the web that we’d like to share with you.
Do you want to learn more about donation? Are you a transplant recipient or know someone on the waiting list? Are you thinking about considering living donation?
Take a look below at some of our favorite donation resources.
National Donation Resources
Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation from these organizations that focus on supporting donation, registering donors, and managing the donation recovery process.
Donate Life America
Advocates to increase organ, eye and tissue donor registrations around the United States. Manages the national donor registry and manages and promotes the Donate Life brand. Visit their site for one of the more comprehensive national donation resources.
U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides a variety of resources to answer questions about organ donation and transplantation.
Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation
This association focuses on multicultural campaigns in support of organ and tissue donation. They work with a variety of organizations to get into communities across the U.S.
Association of Organ Procurement Organizations
Supports the 58 organ procurement organizations across the county as a national donation resource to increase the availability of organs and tissues for transplantation and enhance the quality, effectiveness and integrity of the donation process.
American Association of Tissue Banks
Supports the 120 accredited tissue banks across the country. Focusing on the advancement of tissue bank professionals and tissue banking technologies so no one suffers from the lack of donated human tissue.
Eye Banks Association of America
Supporting the eye banks across the U.S. while championing the restoration of sight through core services to its members which advance donation, transplantation and research in their communities and throughout the world.
Gift of a Lifetime
A website sharing the message of donation. Learn about the faces of donation, learn more about how the donation process works, and find educator resources.
Learn about California’s local donation resources including all four California organ procurement organizations here.
Transplant Waiting List & Transplant Recipient Resources
The national transplant waiting list continues to grow. Learn more about the list, the transplant process and resources for transplant recipients at these national donation resources.
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
The organization that manages the transplant waiting list and the matching and allocation of donated organs. Their site provides information and statistics on the current waiting list data, information on how organs are allocated, and more about the waiting list and donation.
Transplant Experience
Provides information to kidney, liver and heart transplant candidates to help them understand the process ahead of them.
Transplant Recipients International Organization
Works to increase the quality of life for those touched by donation. Includes chapters around the country, advocacy efforts, and more.
Living Donation Resources
Did you know that 90% of those on the waiting list are waiting for organs we can give while alive? Did you know that those who become living donors see less than a half a percent increase in needing a transplant themselves? Learn more about the possibility to become a living kidney or liver donor.
Living Donation California
Provides information on becoming a living donor and why living donation is an important part of how we can end much of the waiting list. Available information includes what you need to know before making the decision, to how to connect with the transplant center for more information on living donation.
Infórmate
This bilingual website provides information on living donation in both English and Spanish. Focusing on connecting with the Hispanic/Latino communities, while addressing misconceptions, providing information on treatment options for those with failing kidneys, what it means to become a living donor and more.
Related Health Organizations
Most people in need of a lifesaving transplant are battling a severe illness that has cause one or more of their organs to fail. This is why, along with national donation resources, we partner with a variety of health organizations who are addressing many of these diseases.
American Heart Association (AHA)
Fighting heart disease and stroke. Working to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans and to reduce deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
American Liver Foundation (ALF)
Promoting education, advocacy, support services and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.
American Lung Association (ALA)
Working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.
Kidney and Urology Foundation of America
Helping people with kidney and urologic diseases and individuals waiting for organ and tissue transplant.
Renal Support Network
RSN’s hopeful and life-enriching, non-medical programs help people who have kidney disease and their families, whether they are in the early stages of the disease, are on dialysis, or have received a transplant. RSN is the leader in engaging people who have kidney disease with the most prolific library of patient experiences. Lori Hartwell founded Renal Support Network (RSN) in 1993 to empower people who have kidney disease to become knowledgeable about their illness, proactive in their care, hopeful about their future and make friendships that last a lifetime. RSN strives to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of people with kidney disease and ensure that healthcare professionals and regulatory agencies legislative leaders that serve us hear what our needs are to have the best care and health possible.
National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
Providing a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. Enhancing lives through action, education and accelerating change.
American Kidney Fund
Helping people fight kidney disease and live healthier lives by providing a complete spectrum of programs and services. Providing direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 5 U.S. dialysis patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation.
Additional Partners In Saving Lives
We might not all be able to be organ, eye and tissue donors today, but there are many different ways you can make a donation that will help save lives. Consider looking into living donation or click on one of our partners’ links of how you can donate bone marrow, blood and more to help save lives.
Be the Match – National Marrow Donor Program
Running the largest and most diverse bone marrow registry in the world, Be the Match allows for treatment of life-threatening blood-based cancers including leukemia and lymphoma.
American Association of Blood Banks
Donating blood may only take an hour of your day but can save lives. Blood donations are needed to help medical professionals help patients fight cancer, save trauma victims, heal burn victims, and fight many chronic diseases. Find a blood bank near you today.
