After death, donated tissues can help restore health, mobility, and quality of life for people in need. Tissue gifts may be used in procedures that help patients heal from serious injuries, burns, illness, or other medical conditions.
One tissue donor can help save and improve the lives of more than 75 people.
How Does Tissue Donation Happen?
1. Reviewing the Opportunity
DonorConnect works with the healthcare team to determine whether tissue donation may be possible.
2. Honoring the Donation Decision
If the patient was a registered donor, their decision is shared with the family. Otherwise, the family may be offered the opportunity to authorize donation.
3. Recovering Donated Tissue
A specially trained team carefully recovers the donated tissue while treating the donor with dignity and respect.
4. Preparing Tissue to Help Others
The tissue is sent to our Partners, where it is prepared for use in procedures that help patients heal and regain quality of life.
The Gift and Impact of Tissues
Corneas
Corneas can help restore sight for people with vision loss.
Veins & Arteries
Veins and arteries can help restore blood flow and support limb-saving procedures.
Tendons
Tendons and ligaments can help repair injuries and improve movement and stability.
Heart Valves
Heart valves can replace damaged or diseased valves in children and adults.
Skin
Skin grafts can protect serious wounds and support healing after burns, trauma, and breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.
Bone
Bone grafts can help repair fractures and support spinal, joint, and reconstructive procedures.
Tissue donation does not typically delay funeral arrangements or prevent an open-casket viewing. Most tissue recipients also do not require the lifelong anti-rejection medications commonly associated with organ transplantation.
ONE
TISSUE
DONOR
CAN
HEAL
UP TO
75
LIVES
Every Community Needs Heroes!
Making the decision to donate life is a generous, heroic act. One organ, tissue, and eye donor can save and heal over 75 lives. Be a hero and register as a donor today.
