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Solid Organ Transplant News

 

Department of Surgery

Division of Solid Organ Transplantation

Information for Organ Donors

Register to Be an Organ Donor

In the event of your death, your family will be asked if they would like to donate your organs. Organ donation will not take place without their consent, but you can make this decision easier for your loved ones by informing them of your desire ahead of time. In addition, it can be helpful to hospital staff to know your intentions as well. Although all life-saving measures will be taken, knowledge of your intentions can shape the medical response in the aftermath of your death.

There are several ways you can make your intention to be an organ donor known:

  • Discuss it with your friends and family. Although this is a difficult and sensitive subject, it will help your loved ones immensely to know your wishes if they are faced with making decisions in the event of your untimely death.
  • Mark it on your driver's license. When you apply for or renew your driver's license in the State of New York, you have the opportunity to indicate whether or not you would like to be an organ donor.
  • Carry a donor card. You can download a small card from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Fill this out and carry it in your wallet to let emergency personnel know of your intentions.
  • Register to be an Organ Donor. You can also register online with the New York State Donor Registry.