A person who has donated, or given permission for their organs to be donated to somebody else for the purpose of an organ transplant. Usually this is done after death, but sometimes people donate non-essential organs such as kidneys while they are still alive.

Also a funky song by DJ Shadow based around a sample from a church organ. Original mix on Endtroducing, extended mix on follow up album Preemptive Strike.

Just a couple of tips/suggestions/ answers to any questions or concerns one might have in becoming an organ donor…

Just who can become an organ donor?

Any person can indicate their intent to donate. For any of you folks under the age of 18, you gotta have your parent’s or guardians consent. The medical suitability of your organs or tissues is determined at the time of your demise.

Does it matter how old I am?

Nah, you can be as old as Methuselah or still be an infant. The deciding factor on whether you can donate is your physical condition, not your age. See above for age requirements.

How do I let people know that I want to donate my organs?

Here in the states, you can indicate your intention to become an organ donor on your driver’s license or state I.D card. Indicate your intent to be an organ and tissue donor on your driver’s license. Failing that, you can carry around something called an organ donor card.

This part is pretty important: Discuss your decision with family members and loved ones!!! Here’s why...

If I sign a donor card or indicate my donation preferences on my driver’s license, will my wishes be carried out?

Even if you sign a donor card and it's indicated on your license, it is essential that your family/loved ones know of your wishes since they might be required to sign a consent form in order for your organs to be donated.

What exactly can be donated?

Well, in the organ family you got your heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestines.

In your tissue family you’ve got the cornea, skin, bone marrow, heart valves and your connective tissues.

Okay, so now I’m an organ donor, will it affect the quality of any medical care I receive?

I sure as hell hope not! By law, every effort will be made to save your life before donation is considered. I’m not sure what happens to people that have designated a “do not resuscitate” clause in matters such as a living will

I like the way I look, will organ donation disfigure me in any way and can I have an open casket at my funeral?

What are you worried about that for, you're dead. No, in actuality, the process of organ donation does not disfigure your precious good looks and does not interfere with open casket funerals.

I’m a minority, should I have any special concerns?

Glad you asked. The answer is yes. It seems some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver are found more frequently in minority populations than in the general population.

For example, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics are three times more likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than Whites.


Since some of these diseases are best treated through transplantation, successful matching or donor/recipient is crucial to the success of the operation Ergo, a shortage of organs donated by minorities might result in longer waiting periods and/or death. and longer waiting periods for transplants for minorities.

So far, it sounds pretty good, is there any cost to me or my family?

Absolutely not. You (of course not, you're dead) or your family will not pay any costs for the removal or your organs. The tab is picked up by the recipient through either insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

This being America and in the spirit of capitalism, can I sell my organs?

Nice try. The National Organ Transplant Act makes it illegal to sell human organs and tissues. Anybody caught violating the Act is subject to fines and imprisonment. This act was passed in order to limit the black market for organs in which the wealthy would have an unfair advantage.

Alright already, how will my organs be doled out?

Patients are matched to organs based on a number of factors including blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, time on the waiting list, geographical location and so on and so on. Don’t worry about it – remember, you're dead.

You know what, I’m feeling extremely generous today, can I be an organ and tissue donor and also donate my body to medical science?

Sorry, while total body donation is an option, you can’t do it if choose to be an organ and tissue donor.

If you do choose to donate your entire body, you should contact the facility of your choice to make any arrangements. Usually medical schools, research facilities and other similar agencies will be happy to carve you up and study you all in the name of medical science.

From a personal point of view and all kidding aside, they can take whatever is left and do with it what they please if it goes to either help somebody who has an immediate need or it leads to further knowledge for future needs. I’m off my soapbox now. .

Religious Views Concerning Organ and Tissue Donation

Organ and tissue donation often raises many issues both medical and ethical. It is common for people to turn to their practicing religion to decided weather or not to become an organ and tissue donor.

Studies have shown that most major religious groups support organ and tissue donation and transplantation so long as it do not endanger the health or hasten the death of the donor. It is said that less than 10 percent of people when faced with the decision of organ and tissue donation know off hand how their practicing religion feels about the issue.

Often religions can be grouped into two categories that have similar beliefs on the subject of organ and tissue donation. These categories are “connectional” and “free church”. Connectional religions are generally the ones that have issued a formal statement on their position while the free church religions generally hold the belief that the decision is completely up to the individual and that no one group can make such a decision for a large number of people.

Often members of religious groups that have not made a formal statement prohibiting the donation and transplantation of organs and tissue assume that the procedure is permissible. Donation is often seen as a charitable act and therefore there is no need for a formal position on the subject.

In recent years it has become more common for major religions to take a proactive approach on the subject. Some such groups that have recently begun to actively encourage donation are the National Episcopal, Lutheran, and Presbyterian churches. This viewpoint is becoming more and more popular and only a few groups are activity against organ and tissue donation.

Most religions encourage the people whom hold high positions in the group to research the medical and ethical aspects of donation. These people once educated on the matter can help direct others toward a decision. It is also important for these people to keep up to date on their particular groups views as a whole. These are the people whom families who are unsure about what decision to make turn to. If they are not well informed the person seeking their guidance can be left feeling guilty regardless of the decision made.

Many religious groups have issued a formal statement. They are as follows:

This list has been provided in part by the American Council on Transplantation

Ame & Ame Zion (African Methodist Episcopal)




Assembly of God



Though Baptists generally believe that organ and tissue donation and transplantation are ultimately matters of personal conscience, the nation's largest protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, adopted a resolution in 1988, which reads in part:

“Whereas, complete resurrection of the body does not depend on bodily wholeness at death and

Whereas, the values of a godless society promote self sufficiency to such a degree that people are indifferent to the needs of others,as seen in resistance to organ donation and

Whereas, organ donation for research or transplantation is a matter of personal conscience . . .

Be it further resolved, that we encourage voluntarism regarding organ donation in the spirit of stewardship, compassion for the needs of others, and alleviating suffering and

Be it further resolved, that we recognize the validity of living wills and organ donor cards, along with the right of the next of kin to make decisions regarding organ donation and

Be it finally resolved, that nothing in the resolution be construed to condone euthanasia, infanticide, a portion, or harvesting of fetal tissue for the procurement of organs.”








Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

The Christian church encourages organ and tissue donation, stating that we were created for God's glory and for sharing God's love. A 1985 resolution, adopted by the General Assembly, encourages "...members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to enroll as organ donors and prayerfully support those who have received an organ transplant.

Christian Science



The Episcopal Church passed a resolution in 1982 that recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ, blood and tissue donation. All Christians are encouraged to become organ, blood and tissue donors "...as part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, who gave His life that we may have life in its fullness."

Greek Orthodox



Though included in this list it is important to keep in mind that gypsies are considered a cultural, not religious group.




Independant Conservative Evangelical



The religion of Islam believes in the principle of saving human lives. According to A. Sachedina in his "Transplantation Proceedings'1990" article, Islamic Views on Organ Transplantation, "...the majority of the Muslim scholars belonging to various schools of Islamic law have invoked the principle of priority of saving human life and have permitted the organ transplant as a necessity to procure that noble end."

Jehovah's Witnesses





In 1984, the Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution stating that donation contributes to the well-being of humanity and can be "...an expression of sacrificial love for a neighbor in need." They call on members to consider donating organs and to make any necessary family and legal arrangements, including the use of a signed donor card.





Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)






Seventh-Day Adventist




Society of Friends (Quakers)


Unitarian Universalist

Organ and tissues donation is widely supported by Unitarian Universalists. They view it as an act of love and selfless giving.

United Church of Christ


United Methodist



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