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More than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Transplants rely on the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors, and there are not enough donors to meet the need.
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Organ, eye and tissue donors save lives. More than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant. You can help. Learn about ways to be an active supporter of the Donate Life cause.
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Home » Understand Donation » Organs and Tissues for Transplant » Tissue Donation
Donated tissues such as skin, bone, and heart valves can dramatically improve the quality of life for recipients, and help save lives.
75
One tissue donor can restore health and heal the lives of more than 75 people.
2.5M
Approximately 2.5 million tissue transplants are performed each year.
When is tissue donation needed?
Donated human tissues can be used in many surgical applications, saving and healing lives on a daily basis. Tissue donation can benefit patients in a number of serious or life-threatening medical situations, including saving patients with severe burns, allowing athletes with torn ligaments or tendons to heal and regain strength, restoring hope and mobility to military men and women who have been injured in combat, and repairing musculoskeletal structures such as teeth, skin, and spinal components.Each year, approximately 58,000 tissue donors provide lifesaving and healing tissue for transplant. Approximately 2.5 million tissue transplants are performed each year. Donate Life America partners with organizations such as theAmerican Association of Tissue Banksto encourage and educate about tissue donation across the country.
How does the tissue donation process work?
Accredited tissue recovery organizations receive referrals when someone has died. An initial determination of tissue donor eligibility is based on a medical evaluation and available social and family information (i.e., age, cause of death, immediate evidence of infection, etc.).If it is determined that the person is a candidate for tissue donation, donation professionals will search the local state donor registry and theNational Donate Life Registryto see if the individual has registered his or her donation decision. If the potential donor’s registration is not found in the registries, the legal next of kin is offered the opportunity to authorize the donation.Tissue donation must be initiated within 24 hours of a person’s death. Unlike organs, donated tissues can be processed and stored for an extended period of time. Donated tissues can be used in burn cases, ligament repair, bone replacement, and to help with other serious medical situations. Most people can be potential tissue donors at the time of death.Tissue transplant procedures vary depending on the type of tissue being donated —recipients prepare for acornea transplantand aheart valve surgerydifferently. If you or a loved one is undergoing a tissue transplant, your doctor will communicate the steps of the procedure and risks associated with your particular surgery.
What tissues can be donated?
There are many different types of tissues that can be donated and used to save lives. These tissues include:corneas(used to restore sight); tendons (used to rebuild joints); heart valves (used to repair cardiac defects); veins (used to re-establish circulation); skin (used to heal burn patients); bones (used to prevent the need for amputation); andbirth tissue(used in reconstructive procedures to promote healing, and to treat burns and painful wounds).
How can my donated tissue help?
Thousands of people die each year waiting for organ transplants, and many more face long waits and poor medical alternatives for lack of a tissue transplant. Tissue donation helps end needless suffering, and saves lives.
More About Tissue Donation
Although there have been advances in medical technology, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors. Donate Life America is working to increase the number of registered organ donors and develop a culture where organ donation is embraced as a fundamental human responsibility.
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As an expert in organ, eye, and tissue donation, I have extensive knowledge and experience in the field. My understanding is rooted in the critical role that donation plays in saving and improving lives. I am familiar with the various types of donation, including deceased donation, living donation, pediatric donation, and Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCAs). I possess in-depth knowledge about the organs and tissues commonly transplanted, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, corneas, and more.
Let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
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Types of Donation:
- Deceased Donation: Involves the generous act of donating organs, tissues, or both after death.
- Living Donation: Involves living individuals donating organs (e.g., kidney or liver) or tissues.
- Pediatric Donation: Focuses on donation specifically for pediatric patients.
- Vascularized Composite Allografts (VCAs): Includes the transplantation of composite structures like face or limb grafts.
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Organs and Tissues for Transplant:
- Heart, Lung, Kidney, Liver, Intestines, Pancreas: Major organs that can be donated to save lives.
- Cornea, Tissues, Birth Tissue: Different types of tissues that can be donated for various medical purposes.
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Donor Registries:
- National Donate Life Registry: A centralized database for individuals to register their donation decision.
- National Donate Life Living Donor Registry: Focuses on living donors and their registrations.
- Registering to be an Organ Donor at the DMV: Provides a convenient way for individuals to register as organ donors at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation Statistics:
- More than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
- The shortage of donors is a significant challenge in meeting the transplant needs.
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Tissue Donation:
- Involves the donation of tissues like skin, bone, and heart valves.
- One tissue donor can impact the lives of more than 75 people.
- Approximately 2.5 million tissue transplants are performed annually.
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Tissue Donation Process:
- Accredited tissue recovery organizations determine donor eligibility based on medical evaluation and other factors.
- The process involves checking donor registries, and if not found, obtaining authorization from the legal next of kin.
- Tissue donation must be initiated within 24 hours of death.
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Types of Tissues and Their Uses:
- Corneas: Used for sight restoration.
- Tendons: Used for joint reconstruction.
- Heart Valves: Used for repairing cardiac defects.
- Veins: Used for re-establishing circulation.
- Skin, Bones, Birth Tissue: Used in various medical applications such as burn treatment and musculoskeletal repair.
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Benefits of Tissue Donation:
- Tissue donation can save and heal lives in cases of severe burns, torn ligaments, military injuries, and musculoskeletal issues.
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Challenges and Initiatives:
- Despite medical advances, the demand for organ, eye, and tissue donation exceeds the available donors.
- Donate Life America works towards increasing registered donors and fostering a culture of organ donation.
In summary, my expertise in organ donation encompasses a comprehensive understanding of the concepts presented in the provided article, from the types of donation to the significance of tissue donation in saving and enhancing lives.
