Is There an Age Limit to Organ Donation?

Most health conditions do not prevent donation, and age itself is not a factor. People in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond have been both organ donors and transplant recipients.

In fact, the oldest organ donor ever was 95! He was a liver donor and saved the life of a 69-year-old woman.

Research and medical advancements have made transplants more successful for all, so the number of people eligible for a transplant – and the age of those eligible to donate – continues to grow.

People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves as potential donors. Doctors work to save the lives of all – regardless if you are a registered donor or not. Every effort is made to save lives before donation is considered. Your medical condition at the time of passing will determine what organs and tissue can be donated. Learn more about the donation process here.

So, no matter what your age is, remember that anyone can register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor online or at your local DMV.

What About Children?

Yes. With the permission of Parents or Guardians, infants and children can be organ donors.

Nearly 2,000 children are waiting for life-saving transplants in the U.S. Wait times for children can be longer than adults because they need an organ of a certain size. In this way, the lives that young donors are saving are often those of other children.