Who Will Receive My Organs?
The Uniform Anatomical Gift Acts allow you to designate a "donee," the individual or institution who is to receive the donated organs and tissues. In general, the following are acceptable donees: hospitals, surgeons, physicians, accredited medical or dental schools, colleges or universities, organ/tissue banks or storage facilities, organ procurement organizations, or a specified individual who needs an organ or tissues for therapy or transplantation. If there is no specific designated donee or the designated donee is not available or rejects the donation, depending on the specific state law either the attending physician or any hospital can generally accept the donation.
Since not all donees can use a donation for any purpose, care must be taken to avoid inadvertently restricting or essentially revoking a donation. For example, a medical or dental school, college, or university is generally not authorized to use organs or tissues for transplantation or, in some states, for therapy. Individuals, except for physicians and surgeons, can only use organs or tissues for transplantation or therapy needed by that individual. Some states prohibit designating a donee on the basis of race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, or physical or mental handicaps.
If you want to designate a specific donee, you are encouraged to contact that donee (such as a medical school or hospital) or an organ procurement organization in your state to assure the necessary steps are taken to accomplish your goal.
Once a donee accepts organs and tissues, that donee can then transfer the organ and tissues so that they are ultimately received by a party who will use them. There is a national system to allocate organs to individuals who need them for transplantation. Factors such as the urgency of the prospective recipient's need for a transplant, the closeness of the biological match between donor and recipient, and geographic proximity help determine who receives donated organs.
What Organs Should I Donate?
Unless you specifically desire to exclude certain organs, tissues, or parts from donation, it is recommended that you simply indicate that any needed organs can be donated. This allows the most flexibility and the greatest possible use of your organs. Many different organs are needed including the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Tissues and parts, such as bone, skin, and corneas, are also needed. Some organ donation forms allow you to make an anatomical gift of the entire body. However, the donation of one's entire body often requires specific arrangements with the designated recipient of the body, such as a medical school. It is a good idea to contact a medical school if you desire to make such a donation.
Please note: This page offers general legal information, not but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask a Legal Pro.
