a child holds a heart shaped stone showing organ tissue and whole body donation

Organ, Tissue, & Body Donation

Organ, tissue, and whole-body donation can offer hope and healing to many, even after death. This section explores the different types of donation, who’s eligible, and the process involved. You’ll also find thoughtful discussions on ethical considerations and living donations. Whether you’re curious or ready to make decisions, these articles provide clear, compassionate information to help you understand and navigate these important choices.

Get the best of the SevenPonds Magazine monthly

Organ, Tissue, & Body Donation

What Is Organ, Tissue, & Whole-Body Donation?

Before Death: Donating Organs or Body

Watch “Organ Donation and Transplantation: How Does it Work?” from Organ Donor.gov

What Happens to My Body After It Is Donated?

“Body Brokers: Inside America’s Underground Trade in Human Remains,” by Annie Cheney

Can I Register for Both Organ Donation and Whole Body Donation?

Who Can Donate Their Body to Science?

How Can I Donate My Whole Body to Science?

A true story of a young woman’s wait for an organ donor and her tragic death while still on the transplant list

Better organ preservation leads to higher success rate in heart transplants

What Is a Vascularized Composite Allograft?

How Are Donated Tissues Used?

What Is the Tissue Donation Process?

Can Donor and Recipient Families Meet?

Will Xenotransplantation Answer the Nation’s Organ Shortage?

What Is the Likelihood a Recipient Will Reject a Transplanted Organ or Tissue?

What Can I Expect After Organ Transplant Surgery?

An Interview with Marisa Hemenez of the California Transplant Donor Network about making the decision to donate

Will Being an Organ or Tissue Donor Impact the Care Received at a Hospital?

What Are Common Religious Views on Organ and Tissue Donation?

What Are the Ethical Considerations Surrounding Organ and Tissue Donation?

How Do OPTN and UNOS Work Together to Ensure Equity in the Transplant Process?

Watch a parody about organ transplantation by Goyte, “Somebody That I’ll Never Know”

Does Health Insurance Pay for Transplant Surgery?

Medical Schools Hold Memorials for Those Who Donated Their Bodies for Study and Research

What Is the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing)?

What Is the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN)?

How Long Does It Take to Process a Donation of Organs or Tissue?

Is It Possible to Restrict Organ Donation From Prisoners or Other Groups?

Can Someone Change Their Organ and Tissue Donation Status After Registration?

An article from the NY Times shares how many hospitals pay homage to honor organ donors

Does Race Matter in Organ Donations?

How Are Transplant Recipients Matched With Donors?

What Is the Transplant Waiting List?

What Are the Risks in Being a Living Organ Donor?

An interview with Andrew Corson of the UCSF Willed Body Program about donating your entire body to science

What Is Living Organ Donation?

Older Patients Rely on Organ Donors Over the Age of 65 for Life Saving Transplants

Who Pays for Organ Donation Surgery After Death?

How Does Organ Donation After Death Work?

What Is Donation After Cardiac Death (DCD)?

An interview with John Lilley, VP of organ operations at Donor Network West about the organ donation process

What Is Brain Death?

An article from NPR reveals the dark side of for-profit tissue banks

Can Someone Donate Organs and Tissues If They Have Selected Medical Aid in Dying?

Amid the Opioid Epidemic,Donated Organs From Drug Overdose Victims Are Saving Lives

If a Family Member Needs an Organ at the Time of My Death, Can I Donate to Them Specifically?

Can Certain Medical Conditions Prevent Someone From Becoming an Organ or Tissue Donor?

Is Organ/Tissue Donation Possible When Someone Dies at Home?

Who Can Donate Organs or Tissue?

How Common Is Organ Donation?

Is There an Age Limit to Become an Organ Donor?

An interview with Deanna Santana of Sierra Donor Services about how one becomes an organ or tissue donor

Why Should I Register as an Organ and Tissue Donor?

Should I Tell My Loved Ones About My Decision to Donate Organs or Tissues?

Can My Family Override My Request to Be an Organ Donor?

Who Can Consent to Organ or Tissue Donation If I’m Not a Registered Donor?

How Do I Register as an Organ and/or Tissue Donor?

What Is the History of Organ and Tissue Donation?

Organ, Tissue, & Whole Body Donation: Additional Resources