Organ, tissue and eye donation is a generous gift that saves and heals thousands of lives every year. Even with the best medicine and technology, transplants aren’t possible without one person giving selflessly to another.
At Regions Hospital, organ, tissue and eye donation happens after a patient passes away. If donation is possible and the patient was a registered organ donor, the patient’s wishes are honored. If the patient wasn’t a registered organ donor, the family will make a decision on their loved one’s behalf. During the process we work with our donation partner, Life Source.
"One tries to live a life that makes a positive difference in the world. Death need not end that.”
At Regions Hospital, we are all grateful for the gifts provided by our organ, tissue and eye donors. To show our gratitude, we pay tribute to their generosity through our Gift of Life Donor Memorial Wall located in the hospital’s atrium. Here, we’re proud to share the lives of these individuals through their photos and personal stories displayed on three video screens.
The inspiration for our Gift of Life Wall came from a hospital in Texas. Their memorial wall started after the hospital hung up a photo of a young organ donor. Photos of other organ donors soon followed. And before long, the hospital had a wall of photos remembering all organ donors.
The memorial wall at Regions Hospital was funded by HealthPartners and Regions Hospital employees through the ONE Campaign employee giving program. Today, the program is coordinated by Regions Hospital Foundation.
When a person is injured or in an accident, it’s the hospital’s absolute top priority to save their life. A person isn’t considered a donor until every effort to save their life is unsuccessful and death has been declared.
No. There’s no age limit to be a donor. In fact, our oldest organ donor was 92 years old!
No. Most health conditions don’t prevent donation.
An individual can save and heal up to 60 lives through organ, tissue and eye donation.
No. There’s no cost to be a donor or for medical expenses associated with donation – either to the individual or their family.
When you register as an organ, tissue and eye donor, you’re making a legal decision that will be honored before and after your death. We strongly encourage you to talk with your family about your decision, so they’re prepared when the time comes.
If you haven’t signed up to be a donor, your family will be asked to make the decision about donating your organs, tissues and eyes. If you’re considering being a donor or are unsure if you want to be one, it’s important to talk with your family to make your thoughts known.
It’s very easy. If you want to be a donor, you can sign up when you renew your driver’s license or your state ID card. Simply check the box on the application next time you renew your license or ID card.
If you want to sign up sooner, you can also register online.
For more information on the Gift of Life Donor Memorial Wall or about organ, tissue and eye donation, contact Chaplain Shelby Johnson at Regions Hospital, at 651-254-1626 or at shelby.d.johnson@healthpartners.com.