FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor is an incredible gift! It means that you are agreeing to donate your organs, eyes and tissues to people in need when your life is over. Learn the facts about organ, tissue and eye donation.
Registering on Wisconsin’s Donor Registry means that you are agreeing to donate your organs, eyes, and tissues to people in need when your life is over.
We understand you may have questions. If we haven’t answered your questions here, please contact us.
Wisconsin’s Donor Registry
When you add your name to the Wisconsin Donor Registry, it means you have authorized the gift of your organs, tissues, and eyes upon your death. Registering indicates legal consent for donation. Your gift will be used to save and improve the lives of others through transplantation, therapy, research or education.
Please see this FAQ regarding the Wisconsin Donor Registry.
Will donation affect the appearance of the donor?
Great care is taken to preserve the donor’s appearance through the delicate surgical procedures that occur during organ and tissue recovery. Incisions and areas of tissue donation can be covered by clothing. An open-casket funeral can occur following donation. The recovering agency will make certain the body is released to the funeral home on time. No extra planning is required by families of organ and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.
Does my religion allow donation?
All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and consider it a final act of love and generosity toward others.
How long can organs and tissues survive before being transplanted?
Thanks to advances in medical technology and improved preservation techniques, organs, tissues and corneas may be transported to reach recipients waiting in transplant centers. Approximate preservation times are:
- Heart/lung: 4 to 6 hours
- Pancreas: 12 to 24 hours
- Liver: 6 to 8 hours
- Kidneys: 24 to 72 hours
- Corneas: Must be transplanted within 5 to 7 days
- Heart valves, skin, bone, tendons, veins: May be preserved from 3 to 5 years
Can organs and tissues be donated to someone of a different race or ethnicity?
Yes. Organ size is critical to matching the donor and recipient for hearts, livers and lungs. But genetic makeup is also important when matching kidneys; therefore, African-Americans will “match” better with a kidney donated from an African-American than any other race—as will Asians with Asians, etc. For an allograft (human to human tissue) transplant, you do not need to have a “match” in order to receive a tissue transplant. For cornea transplantation, the best match is based on size and age of the cornea.
Why is it important for me to talk about donation with my family?
Many people don’t like to discuss end-of-life situations; however, talking about donation is different than talking about death. When you share your donation decision with your family, you are talking about the opportunity to help others and to make sure that your family understands and follows through with your choice.
What is the Wisconsin Donor Registry?
When you add your name to the Wisconsin Donor Registry, it means you have authorized the gift of your organs, tissues, and eyes upon your death. Registering indicates legal consent for donation. Your gift will be used to save and improve the lives of others through transplantation, therapy, research or education.
How can I add or remove my name from the Wisconsin Donor Registry?
You can add or remove yourself from the Wisconsin Donor Registry at any time by visiting the Wisconsin Donor Registry. You will be asked to enter your last name and Driver’s License or State ID number and then you can select the “Add my name to the Wisconsin Donor Registry” or “Remove my name from the Wisconsin Donor Registry” button.