Donation

There is an ever-growing need for donors in this country, as well as the world at large, as demonstrated by the graph below.  This graph shows the number of people waiting for a life-saving transplant in blue, and the number of organs actually donated in green.

The National "Donor Gap"

 

Donate Life Northwest and other organizations across the country are working to lessen this gap by educating others about the field of donation.  Learn more about the two types of donation by following the links below.  Visit the Transplantation page to learn about what happens after donation occurs.

Deceased Donation in the Hospital

Deceased donation occurs only after death has been declared.  Although someone has passed away, their organs, eyes and tissues can be kept viable by mechanical support for transplant.  Deceased donation involves a complex series of events requiring teamwork among physicians, nurses, hospital staff and organ procurement and transplant teams.  The five major steps that generally define the donation process are outlined below. The significant activities (in bold) will always occur, but the sequence and time frame may vary depending on individual circumstances. The process can vary from a few hours up to more than 20 hours.
 
Step 1: Identification and Referral

  • Pronouncement of death in a hospital, after evaluation, testing and documentation by the appropriate physician.
  • Referral to procurement organization for initial evaluation
  • Death explained to the family
  • Evaluation of patient's chart and key information by Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO)

Step 2: Consent

  • Individuals over 18 who are listed on the Donor Registry are considered first person consent
  1. Donation process reviewed with family
  2. Medical/Social History obtained from family. Medical Examiner/Coroner's release obtained for donation
  • Individuals under 18 and those not on the Donor Registry require family/guardian consent
  1. Donation options discussed with family
  2. Consent forms signed and witnessed
  3. Medical/Social History obtained from family. Medical Examiner/Coroner's release obtained for donation

Step 3: Evaluation and Maintenance

  • Test for contagious diseases
  • Evaluate organ and tissue suitability
  • Optimize hemodynamic functions
  • Identify potential recipients for organs

Step 4: Recovery

  • Mobilize transplant teams
  • Organ recovery procedures occur in operating room
  • Preservation and procurement of organs
  • Eye and tissue recovery follow organ recovery
  • Autopsy and/or release of body to funeral home.

Step 5: Transplant

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Deceased Donation Outside a Hospital

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Living Donation

There are many ways to donate while you are still alive.  Living donation is becoming increasingly common as new techniques and technology are developed and the need for donors continues to grow.  Many lives are saved by living donation. In fact, almost as many kidneys were transplanted from living donors as from deceased donors in recent years.  The following items are ways you can give while you are alive.

Blood:  Did you know that donated blood is a critical part of successful organ transplants?  Every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood.  American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services needs at least 1,000 blood donors every day to meet the medical needs of local patients.  Individuals age 16 or older who are in good health and at least 110 pounds may donate blood and platelets with parental consent.                         
Find a blood drive near you!

Bone Marrow:  Bone marrow transplantation has become the only real "cure" for many diseases: leukemia, anemias, lymphomas and other life-threatening blood diseases. Each year more than 30,000 people need a marrow transplant. Anyone ages 18-60 can become a marrow donor and it can be donated anonymously. Learn more about the National Marrow Donor Program or join the National Marrow Donor Registry today.

One Kidney:  Did you know the human body can not only survive with just one kidney, but can function well?  Because of this, living kidney donation is becoming more and more common.  Most of the time biological family members are the best match for an organ.  However, an increasing number of living kidney donors are friends or spouses.  In Oregon, living kidney donation does occur between strangers.  If you are interested in being an anonymous living kidney donor, click here to learn more or contact Ginny Baynes at 503-494-7856.

Partial Liver, Pancreas or Lung:  When liver, pancreas or lung donors are living donors, only a segment of the donated organ is removed from the donor and transplanted into the recipient. The liver regenerates in size in both donor and recipient in 2-3 months.

Heart:  Living individuals donate hearts only when they are the recipients of a heart and lung pair from a deceased donor. In such cases, the heart-lung recipient's healthy heart is transplanted into another patient awaiting a heart transplant. 

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Whole Body Donation

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