Becoming an organ and tissue donor

At the time of your death, your family will be offered the option of donation. Sharing your decision with your family now will help them carry out your decision later. If you have already signed a donor card, indicated your decision on your driver's license, in your will, or your health care proxy, share this information with your family now.

If you have not made a personal pledge to be a donor, consider doing the following:

• Talk to your family and friends about your wishes. Make sure they understand that you wish to be a donor. Also, make sure you understand the wishes of your loved ones.
  
  
• Sign and carry a gift document. This can be a donor card, a designation on your driver's license, or a living will which clearly states your donation wishes.
  
  
• Register your intent to be an organ donor via the New York State Donor Registry. Click on the link and sign up today
  
  
• If you use a donor card or living will include your family members as witnesses so they are informed of your desire to donate.

Without question, making a decision about organ and tissue donation can be difficult because it requires us to consider our own mortality and to talk about death and dying. However, many people have gained some degree of comfort by informing loved ones of their wishes so that the burden of making a decision will not be placed on family members.

Sign a donor card and talk to your family today about organ and tissue donation. It is a chance for one final, heroic act to turn a loss into a life-giving opportunity.

Send an e-postcard telling your family and friends of your wishes to be an organ donor! Click on the words e-postcard to send out an ecard today!