Organ Donation in Kentucky

Organ Donation in Kentucky

Organ donation in Kentucky is administered by the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA).

Recent organ donation statistics say nearly 1,000 people in Kentucky are waiting for organ donation. Hundreds more are on the list for life-enhancing transplants that include cornea and tissue transplants. Each organ donor can help as many as 50 people with their gift of organ and tissue donation.

Register to be a Kentucky Organ Donor

NOTE: Your driver's license or state ID card number are used as your ID number in the state's organ donor registry.

Anyone can become a donor, but those younger than 18 years old must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian for a donation. While age limits can apply to specific organs or tissues, anyone who would like to donate can register.

You can register to become a donor online or in person at your local KY DMV office:

  • Sign up when you receive or renew your driver's license or state ID card.
  • Become a donor online by signing up for the Kentucky donor registry and simply following the instructions.
  • Register through ORGANIZE.org to have your registration added to a national database.

In the event of your death, all donation expenses are paid for by the Transplant Program, and organ removal will not interfere with funeral and burial arrangements―nor will it disfigure your body.

Update/Change Your Organ Donation Status

You can update or change your donor profile online, as well as through ORGANIZE.org. You will use your driver's license or state ID number to log on and make any changes.

Trust For Life Donations

Thanks to the Kentucky General Assembly, you can also donate $1 to the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates fund when you renew your license at your local Circuit Clerk's office. The proceeds from the fund are used to educate the public about the need for organ transplants and donations.

For more information on this program, call them at  (502) 694-3015, or contact your County Clerk's office.

How You Can Help With Organ Donation

There are a variety of ways you can offer your support to the organ-donor cause, such as:

  • Becoming a volunteer: Volunteers are needed for the Donate Life Ambassador program to educate people in Kentucky about organ donor facts. Speakers can visit church groups, health fairs, and other community events to answer questions. Ambassadors are trained in formal sessions at locations throughout the state. There are also opportunities to offer assistance at outreach events and donor registration drives.
  • Sending monetary donations to Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates to help fund its activities. You can specify that your gift is in honor of the memory of a loved one by adding the information to the memo section of your check or adding a note. Make checks payable to Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates. Donations can be sent by mail to:
Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates
10301 Linn Station Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40223
  • Becoming a living donor: Living organ donation is another option for organs and tissues like kidney, liver, and lung transplants. In the case of liver and lung transplants, only a lobe is necessary for transplant; with kidneys, a single organ is given for transplant. Most people offer donations for family members, but there are also many who offer altruistic donations.

Additional Information

Remember, becoming an organ donor only takes a few minutes, but those few minutes of your life could possibly add years to someone else's.

For more information on the subject, contact Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) at (502) 581-9511.

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