If I want to register, what should I do?

 To register as an organ and tissue donor, click here. Donate Life New England is an online registry for all New England residents to declare their wish to save lives.  

Please share this decision with your family. 

You may also make your decision known through the CT DMV or the MA RMV when you receive or renew your driver's license or state ID.   You will be asked if you wish to become an organ and/or tissue donor.  The information you provide goes into a donor registry database accessible by the organ procurement organization (OPO) in the event you are eligible to give the gift of life. In Massachusetts, please be sure to check "yes" to donation on your renewal form.

  If you register as a donor in Connecticut or Massachusetts (by either or both routes), this is considered legal consent for organ and tissue donation.  It is also very important to make your wishes known to your family.  

As a donor, you have the power to save and improve the lives of over 75 people.

 

Understanding Donation

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You are here: Home Understanding Donation What are the steps involved in donation?
What are the steps involved in donation? PDF Print E-mail

Hospitals notify the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) of the death of a patient. The OPO staff makes an initial determination about medical suitability for organ and tissue donation, then a trained donation professional (Procurement Coordinator) further evaluates the patient for all donation options. The Coordinator will determine if the potential candidate is a registered donor and, if not, will offer the option of donation to the legal next-of-kin.  The Coordinator will stay with the donor's family and provide support during the donation process. Immediately after the organs are surgically removed from the donor, the OPO staff arranges their timely transport to the appropriate transplant centers. If the patient is also a tissue donor, the tissues will be surgically removed from the patient and transported to the associated tissue banks for further processing and storage. Some tissues may be implanted up to 10 years after the actual recovery.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 July 2009 20:48 )