Advocacy & Give Back

Become an Organ Donor

One organ donor can save up to 8 lives and improve up to 75 more through tissue donation. Despite this, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a transplant at any given time, and 17 people die each day waiting.

How to Register

Organ donation registration takes less than 2 minutes. You can register through your state's DMV when getting or renewing your driver's license, or online through the national registry.

• Registration is free and legally binding in all 50 states
• You can specify which organs and tissues you wish to donate
• Your medical care is never affected by your donor status
• All major religions support organ donation as an act of compassion
• There is no age limit — donors have ranged from newborns to people in their 90s

Common Myths

• Myth: Doctors won't try to save my life if I'm a donor. — Your care team's only job is to save your life. The transplant team is completely separate and is not involved until all life-saving efforts have been exhausted.
• Myth: I'm too old or sick to donate. — Medical professionals evaluate each potential donor case individually. Many conditions that seem disqualifying are not.
• Myth: An open-casket funeral isn't possible. — Organ and tissue donation does not affect the appearance of the body for funeral services.

Join the Bone Marrow Registry

Every year, thousands of patients with blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma) and other diseases need a bone marrow or stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. Finding a match depends on having a large, diverse registry.

How It Works

Be The Match (operated by the National Marrow Donor Program) maintains the world's largest bone marrow registry. Joining is simple:

• Swab your cheek: Order a free kit online — it arrives in a few days. Swab the inside of your cheeks and mail it back.
• Wait for a match: Your HLA type is added to the registry. If you match a patient, Be The Match contacts you.
• Donate: Most donations (80%) use peripheral blood stem cells (similar to a blood donation) — not surgical bone marrow extraction.

Who Can Join

• Ages 18-40 are most needed (younger donors produce better outcomes)
• Diverse donors are especially needed — patients are most likely to match someone of their own ethnic background
• The registry especially needs Black, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial donors

Donate Blood

Transplant patients rely heavily on blood donations — both during surgery and throughout their recovery. A single transplant surgery can require 10 or more units of blood. Blood banks often face shortages, especially during holidays and summer.

Types of Donation

• Whole blood: The most common type. Takes about 10 minutes for the actual draw. You can donate every 56 days.
• Platelets: Especially important for transplant and cancer patients. Takes about 2 hours. You can donate every 7 days (up to 24 times per year).
• Plasma: Used for clotting disorders and burn victims. You can donate every 28 days.
• Power Red (double red cells): Donates twice the red blood cells in one session. Takes about 30 minutes longer.

How to Find a Blood Drive

The American Red Cross operates blood drives nationwide. You can also donate at local blood banks and hospital blood centers. Schedule online or walk in.

Become a Living Donor

Living donation is one of the most direct ways to save a life. Living donors can donate a kidney (most common) or a portion of their liver, and the body adapts remarkably well. A living donor kidney lasts an average of 15-20 years — significantly longer than a deceased donor kidney.

Who Can Be a Living Donor

• Generally healthy adults aged 18-60 (varies by center)
• Must have compatible blood type (or participate in a paired exchange)
• Must pass a thorough medical and psychological evaluation
• No history of diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, or kidney disease
• BMI requirements vary by center (generally under 35)

The Process

• Evaluation: Blood tests, imaging, psychological assessment (takes 1-3 months)
• Surgery: Usually laparoscopic (minimally invasive), 2-4 hours
• Recovery: 2-4 weeks off work for kidney; 4-6 weeks for liver
• Long-term: Kidney donors live normal, healthy lives with one kidney. The remaining kidney compensates by growing slightly and increasing function.

Financial Protections

The recipient's insurance covers all donor medical expenses related to the donation. The National Living Donor Assistance Center reimburses travel, lodging, and lost wages. Federal law (NOTA) protects donors from insurance discrimination.

Volunteer with Transplant Organizations

Transplant organizations depend on volunteers to raise awareness, support patients, and advocate for policy changes. Whether you have an hour a month or a day a week, your help makes a difference.

Ways to Volunteer

• Peer mentoring: Share your transplant experience with patients who are newly listed or recently transplanted. Organizations like TRIO match mentors with mentees.
• Community education: Give talks at schools, churches, and community centers about organ donation. The National Kidney Foundation provides speaker training and materials.
• Advocacy: Contact your elected officials about transplant-related legislation. The American Liver Foundation and other organizations coordinate advocacy days.
• Events: Help organize fundraising walks, galas, and awareness events. Most organizations have local chapters that welcome event volunteers.
• Administrative support: Help with office tasks, phone banks, mailings, and social media for your local organ procurement organization (OPO).

Organizations That Need Volunteers

• National Kidney Foundation — Kidney walks, patient education, advocacy
• TRIO (Transplant Recipients International Organization) — Peer mentoring, support groups
• American Liver Foundation — Liver Life Walks, education programs
• American Heart Association — Heart walks, CPR training, advocacy
• Donate Life America — National awareness campaigns, DMV partnerships

Fundraise for Transplant Patients

Transplant costs can be overwhelming even with insurance. Out-of-pocket expenses for travel, lodging, medications, and lost wages can reach $20,000-$50,000. Community fundraising makes a real difference.

How to Set Up a Transplant Fundraiser

• Help Hope Live: A nonprofit fiscal sponsor for transplant fundraising. Donations are tax-deductible, and they provide a personal fundraising page, coaching, and support. helphopelive.org
• NFT (National Foundation for Transplants): Similar fiscal sponsorship for transplant patients. Handles donations, disbursements, and tax receipts. transplants.org
• Community events: Organize a benefit dinner, silent auction, car wash, or bake sale. Local businesses often donate goods or matching funds.
• Employer matching: Many companies match employee charitable donations. Check if your employer has a matching program.
• Social media campaigns: Share the patient's story (with their permission) and fundraising link. Personal stories drive the most engagement.

Tips for Effective Fundraising

• Use a verified nonprofit fiscal sponsor (not personal GoFundMe) for tax-deductible donations
• Be specific about what funds will cover (medications, travel, lodging)
• Provide regular updates to donors about the patient's progress
• Thank every donor personally