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April 01, 2021 in About Donation, Registration

Sharing Your Decision to Be a Donor

Sharing your wishes about what you want at the end of life is important – including your decisions about organ, eye and tissue donation. Having these conversations before something happens is a gift to both you and your family. It makes a difficult time a little easier for the people you love.

Man in suit with bow tie and hat, holding a cutout paper heart

How LifeSource Works with Families

When a person has experienced a life-ending injury, the hospital contacts LifeSource who evaluates to see if there is potential for donation. If donation is possible, someone from LifeSource will talk with the family about the opportunity to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. If the person was a registered donor, LifeSource supports the family to follow that decision and move forward with donation. If they were not registered, their next of kin is asked to make a decision on their behalf and the family takes time to think and ask questions before they decide.

This is why it is important to register as a donor and let your family know your decision during your lifetime. Sharing your decision will remove the burden from loved ones during a time of crisis and loss.

As donation moves forward, someone from LifeSource will guide the family through the entire process providing resources and support. All donor families are given support, hope and healing in the months and years after the loss of a loved one through our Donor Family Services.

Sharing Your Decision

Here are a few simple ways to start the conversation:

  • “Has anyone in our family ever become an organ donor?”
  • “Today I learned that more than 2,500 people in Minnesota are waiting for a transplant. Has anyone we know ever been on the Transplant Waiting List?”
  • Just ask, “Do you support organ donation?”
  • Mention a video or news story you’ve seen about donation (our YouTube channel can help with this).
  • Share the reasons why you support organ donation and explain that, if possible, you’d like to help others after you’re gone.
  • “I just got my license did you know I decided to be a donor?”

While this conversation is important, it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Take your time. You don’t have to say everything in one conversation.

Remember, by sharing your decision you are helping the people you love after you’re gone. That’s what makes this conversation a gift.

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