Tayler Lee Towles, DAUGHTER OF CORNEA DONOR, CONNIE TOWLES
Tayler Lee Towles, DAUGHTER OF CORNEA DONOR, CONNIE TOWLES
About Donation
You Have the Power to Donate Life!
The Referral
All hospitals are required by state and federal law to notify LifeCenter of all deaths that occur. It is after death has occurred that a patient can be determined if they would be a likely candidate for donation.
The Donor Registry
Making the initial decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor typically happens when acquiring a drivers license or state I.D. at your Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This decision can be changed at any time both online or through a mail-in paper enrollment form. It is always recommended to have a family discussion about your decision. Knowing your views on donation allows your family to carry out your wishes and eliminates the need for them to make a difficult decision during a time of loss.
Organ Allocation
Organs are matched to potential recipients based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to: blood and tissue type, severity of illness, time on the waiting list, and geographic location. This process is regulated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
Organ Recovery and Tissue Recovery
Organ recovery takes place in a hospital's operating room where a team of qualified Surgeons, Nurses, Organ Procurement Coordinators and Specialists will assist in the recovery of transplantable organs.
Organs used in transplant include:
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Heart
- Lungs
- Pancreas
- Small Intestine
These transplants benefit those who have suffered with lifelong illness and debilitating diseases as well as victims of traumatic accidents.
The tissue donation process will take place at LifeCenter's state of the art recovery suite. Tissues that can be donated include but are not limited to:
- Corneas
- Bone
- Ligaments and Tendons
- Heart Valves
- Skin
- Veins
These tissues can be used in a number of ways to benefit over 50 others helping restore sight, repair spinal injuries and reconstructive surgery, to help rebuild joints and restore mobility, to aid in the survival of burn victims; and to help patients avoid unnecessary amputation.
This entire process is preformed with respect and care for the donor and does not typically affect the visible appearance of a donor for funeral and visitation purposes.
Family Support
LifeCenter provides support and continued care for organ and tissue donor families. Our compassionate staff guide donor families through the process of donation answering any questions that they might have during this difficult time. LifeCenter facilitates the communication between donor families and recipients providing a bridge should either a donor family or a transplant recipient like to reach out to each other.
You have power
As a registered organ, eye and tissue donor you have the power to save 8 lives and enhance the lives of as many as 75 others.