Celebrating the lifesaving generosity of organ, eye and tissue donation

Each April, Donate Life America (DLA) leads National Donate Life Month (NDLM), an observance to focus national attention on the need and importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. National Donate Life Month is about the importance of registering your decision to be a donor, and honoring deceased and living donors – recognizing that the generosity of donors makes saving lives through transplantation possible.

Donate Life is the national brand for the cause of donation, uniting the hundreds of donation and transplantation organizations; the hundreds of thousands of recipients, living donors, donor families, supporters and patients waiting; and the 165 million people who have registered their decision to be a donor at the end of their life.

More than 100,000 people across the country are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Thousands more people are waiting for lifesaving and healing cornea and tissue transplants. Only 3 in 1000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation to take place. That is why it is important for everyone to register their lifesaving decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. Learning more about and considering living donation is another way to help those waiting for a second chance at life.

“Donate Life is the symbol for the cause of donation, all lifesaving and healing organ, eye and tissue donation – living and deceased.” says David Fleming, President & CEO of Donate Life America. “Donation is donation, and at the center of this lifesaving decision is generosity. That is what we celebrate and honor during National Donate Life Month, lifesaving generosity.”

How to participate in National Donate Life Month 2021

Give hope and help save lives by registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org or in the Medical ID tab of your iPhone Health app.

To those who have already registered their donation decision, thank you! Help continue to save lives by sharing the Donate Life message, educating others about the need and how their generosity can help save and heal lives.

About Donate Life America

Donate Life America (DLA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization leading its national partners and Donate Life State Teams to increase the number of donated organs, eyes and tissue available to save and heal lives. DLA manages and promotes Donate Life℠, the national brand for the cause of donation; motivates the public to register as organ, eye and tissue donors; provides education about living donation; manages the National Donate Life Registry at RegisterMe.org; and develops and executes effective multi-media campaigns to promote donation.

More than 160 million people are registered organ, eye and tissue donors. Join us by registering your decision to save and heal lives at RegisterMe.org.

Donation & Transplantation FAQs

Who can be a donor?

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential deceased donors. Your

medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Living donors should be in good overall physical and mental health and older than 18 years of age.

Some medical conditions could prevent an individual from being a living donor. Transplant programs

complete a full patient evaluation to protect both living donor and recipient health and safety.

Does registering as a donor change my patient care?

Doctors work hard to save every patient’s life, but sometimes there is a complete and irreversible loss

of brain function. The patient is declared clinically and legally dead. Only then is donation an option.

Does my religion support organ, eye and tissue donation?

All major religions support donation as a final act of compassion and generosity.

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

There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation. The donor family pays only for medical

expenses before death and costs associated with funeral arrangements.

Does my social and/or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive an organ if I ever need one?

A national system matches available organs from the donor with people on the waiting list based on

many factors, including: blood type, body size, how sick they are, distance from donor hospital and

time on the list. Race, income, gender, celebrity and social status are never considered.

Why should I register my decision to be a donor?

The vast majority of Americans support donation as an opportunity to give life and health to others.

Unfortunately, many people overlook the important step of registering as a donor. Donors are often

people who die suddenly and unexpectedly. Their families are then faced with making the decision at

a time of shock and grief. Registering relieves your family of this burden.

You can save up to 8 lives and heal the lives of more than 75 people. Your registration serves as a

symbol of hope to patients waiting, and sharing it with your family lets them know your decision.

To register your decision to be a donor, please visit RegisterMe.org.

For more information about organ, eye, tissue and living donation, please visit DonateLife.net.