Organ Donation

Organ donation can only occur when a patient's injury results in brain death. These are very rare situations occurring less than 200 times a year in the Mid America Transplant service area. Vital organs that can save lives are heart, lungs, liver, kidney, pancreas and small bowel. Organs and tissues that are donated but are not suitable for transplantation are often utilized for valuable research with the family's permission. Family members must give consent, even if a donor card and/or a drivers license states a patient's wishes; therefore, always discuss your choice with your family.