[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/01\/organ-donation-living-donation-registration-101\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/01\/organ-donation-living-donation-registration-101\/","headline":"Organ Donation and Living Donation: Registration 101","name":"Organ Donation and Living Donation: Registration 101","description":"How is registering to become an organ donor different from registering to be a living donor? Learn the facts about organ donation and how you can save lives. ","datePublished":"2018-01-22","dateModified":"2024-03-26","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","name":"Transplant Services","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/transplant-services\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/022017_MUSICHEALTH.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/022017_MUSICHEALTH.jpg","height":325,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/01\/organ-donation-living-donation-registration-101\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Transplant"],"wordCount":535,"keywords":["living donation","organ donation","registering to become an organ donor","transplant"],"articleBody":"Many of us make the decision to register as an organ donor when we get a driver’s license. But did you know that you also can become a living organ donor?What\u2019s the difference between registering to become an organ donor and registering to be a living donor?Register today to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor, and get more information on organ donation.Organ Donation: Making the DecisionDeceased organ donation is the process of donating an organ, or part of an organ, at the time of the donor\u2019s death.The cause of death determines if someone can be an organ donor and which organs can be donated. Organ removal is only possible after:All efforts to save the patient\u2019s life have been exhausted.Tests have been performed to ensure the absence of brain or brainstem activity.The patient has been declared brain dead.There is no age limit to becoming an organ donor, and everyone is eligible regardless of race, health, and ethnicity. Almost all major religions support organ donation.Registering to Become an Organ DonorRegistering to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor is easy. And, this simple, yet generous act can save lives and help more than 75 people.Most people know that you can register your decision to become an organ donor when you renew your driver\u2019s license. But did you know that you can register online through the National Donate Life Registry? Donate Life America manages the registry, and the form only takes about one minute to complete.Register your decision by signing up to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor today.Living-Organ Donation: Helping Save the Lives of Those on the Transplant ListLiving donation is a type of organ donation that helps save the lives of those on the liver or kidney transplant waiting list.In addition to offering an alternative to the transplant waiting list, living-donor transplants save two lives: the recipient and the person next in line on the organ waiting list.During a living donor transplant, a healthy donor can give a portion of their liver or one of their kidneys to a patient on the transplant waiting list.Healthy living donors must:Be between the ages of 18 and 55 for living-liver donation and between the ages of 18 and 75 for living-kidney donation.Be in general good health.Have an unselfish desire to contribute to another person\u2019s life in a healthy and meaningful way.Registering to Become a Living DonorTo become a living donor, first complete the living donor registration. This helps determine if a potential donor meets the initial qualifications to become a living donor.From there, a potential living donor undergoes an extensive transplant evaluation. This ensures they are a good candidate for living-donor surgery and that donating poses the least possible risk to both the donor and the recipient.Why Is Organ Donation so Important?Across the United States, 115,000 men, women, and children are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. By registering as an organ donor or a living donor, you offer hope and a second chance to these individuals.Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on January 22, 2018, and was last reviewed on March 26, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Organ Donation and Living Donation: Registration 101","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/01\/organ-donation-living-donation-registration-101\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]