Benefits of Organ & Tissue Donation

A single organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people by donating the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines. One tissue donor can improve the lives of more than 50 people by donating eyes, bone, soft tissue, heart valves, veins, and skin.

ORGAN/TISSUE FUNCTION APPLICATION
Corneas Allow light to enter the eye Restore sight to the blind
Heart Pumps blood to all body systems For patients with end-stage heart disease
Lungs Organs of respiration For patients with cystic fibrosis, emphysema, or other end-stage lung disease
Liver Instrumental in energy regulation, makes proteins, removes wastes from the blood For patients with end-stage liver disease
Pancreas Secretes enzymes necessary for digestion, secretes insulin that helps regulate blood sugar For treating diabetes, eliminates need for insulin injections, reduces risk of losing sight or limb
Kidneys Extract waste from the blood, produce important hormones Eliminates need for dialysis
Skin Protects the body against dehydration, injury, and infection Used as a temporary covering for burn patients, decreases pain, infection, scarring, heat, and fluid loss
Bone Supports the body, protects vital organs Facial reconstruction, limb salvage, correction of birth defects, cancer treatments, spinal and oral surgery
Bone marrow Forms blood cells For treating leukemia patients
Cartilage Connective tissue that serves as skeletal tissue in some parts of the body; i.e. nose and outer ear Facial and other reconstruction
Tendons Attach muscle to bone For use in joint injuries
Fascia Fibrous tissue that envelops, separates, or binds together muscles, organs, and other soft structures of the body Used to repair tendons, muscle ligaments and deformities
Dura Mater Membrane covering the brain and the spinal cord and lining the inner surface of the skull Used during neurosurgery to correct damage caused by tumors or accidents

* Resource: United Network for Organ Sharing