Organ Donation in Oregon

Organ Donation in Oregon

Did you know there are more than 3,000 people listed on the transplant waiting list in Oregon and Washington? A person is added to the waiting list about every 8 minutes. The good news is that a single organ donor can save up to 8 lives.

The Donate Life Northwest program aims to save and enhance people's lives through organ and tissue donations.

The program benefits children, women, and men needing organ or tissue transplants in Oregon and southwest Washington, with educational activities aimed at increasing the number of Oregon donors. Donate Life Northwest also promotes collaboration among organ and tissue procurement agencies, and provides the public current information on organ and tissue donation.

NOTES:

  1. Donating will not cost you or your family any amount.
  2. All major U.S. religious organizations support organ and tissue donation.
  3. Donating won't alter or delay funeral plans; open-casket funerals are still possible.
  4. Those who are elderly or have health problems can still be donors; each case is individually analyzed at the time of death.

How to Become an Organ Donor in Oregon

There are a couple different age requirements in Oregon for organ donation:

  • If you're at least 15 years old, you can add your desire to become an organ donor in Oregon on your driver's license.
  • If you're at least 13 years old, you can register online or by mail with a paper form provided by Donate Life Northwest. However, your parents or guardians will have the ultimate say until you turn 18 years old.

Depending on your age, you can register online, by mail or in person at your local Oregon DMV office.

Online

You can register online through:

  • Donate Life Northwest., to record your registration with the state.
  • ORGANIZE.org, to register with the state AND add your information to a central database of donors nationwide.
    • If you change states, your registration status will follow you.

By Mail

To register as an organ donor by mail, call (503) 494-7888 or (800) 452-1369 and ask that an application be mailed to you. Next, you'll need to return the completed application to the address listed on the form.

In Person

When you go to your local Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division (DMV) facility to apply for or renew your license, permit, or state ID card, the DMV can add a donor code to your document, indicating your desire to become a donor. You'll just need to sign and complete the donor application.

When you sign up through the DMV, you can't specify what you'd like to donate (if you have a preference). However, you can do so when you register online.

How You Can Help With Organ Donation

There are various ways to volunteer or support the organ donor program in Oregon, such as:

Additional Information

Donate Life Northwest is a 501 nonprofit organization and member of the National Coalition on Donation. For more information, visit its website.

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