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Is There an Age Limit to Become an Organ Donor?
There is no age limit for organ and tissue donation. Anyone who is at least 13 years of age can register online, although the final decision is that of the […]
There is no age limit for organ and tissue donation. Anyone who is at least 13 years of age can register online, although the final decision is that of the legal guardian(s) until age 18. Additionally, anyone of any age can select “YES” when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or ID at the DMV. Since age is not a factor, people should not rule themselves out as potential donors – there has been a 93-year-old kidney donor and a 99-year-old cornea donor!
Though there is no set maximum age for being a donor, medical professionals will assess each organ individually at the time of death to determine if it is suitable for donation. Even if you are in your 70s, 80s or even 90s, you can still potentially donate your organs if they are in good working order. If an organ has been damaged by disease or aging, it might not be suitable for transplantation.
Further, donated organs and tissue from those aged 50 to over 80 are often in high demand by medical researchers. These may be donated through an organ procurement organization, which will arrange to have usable tissue removed within 24 hours of death. Whole body donation through a non-anatomical donation organization is another way to ensure that your or a loved one’s organs and/or tissues reach medical researchers.
Sources
“Organ Donation FAQ”. Health Resources & Services Administration. https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/faq
“Consumer Health”. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/organ-donation/art-20047529
“A 95-year-old man just became the oldest organ donor in US history”. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/12/health/oldest-organ-donor-wellness-trnd/index.html
“Organ Donation”. New York-Presbyterian. https://www.nyp.org/transplant/organ-donation/organ-donation-facts
“5 Things to Know About Organ Donation After Age 50”. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/organ-donation-age-limit/
“Non-transplant Anatomical Donation”. AATB. https://www.aatb.org/nados
