 According to the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, as of October. 6, 2008, more than 100,000 people were registered awaiting an organ transplant from a deceased donor at U.S. transplant centers. This is the first time that threshold has been exceeded.
In Illinois, you can register your decision to donate through the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry. After you register, Gift of Hope will be responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation after your death.
The Illinois registry is managed by the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. It is important to make sure you registered your decision after Jan. 1, 2006, when a new Illinois law went into effect. If you joined the previous Illinois donor registry (before Jan. 1, 2006), your decision is not legally binding and a family member or another legal authority must still give consent for you to become a donor.
You must be 18 to register as an organ and tissue donor. If you are 17 or younger, inform family members of your wishes. Your parents or legal guardian must give permission for donation at the time of your death, until you turn 18 and can legally register as a donor.
>> Register as an organ donor online |
