Organ Donation in Idaho

Organ Donation in Idaho

The Idaho Donor Registry is administered by the nonprofit organ procurement organization DonorConnect (IDS). IDS serves southeastern Idaho, Utah, and western Wyoming.

The Idaho Donor Registry makes easy the task of becoming a donor. All you have to do is specify what you'd like to donate. You can even choose to donate certain organs or tissue for either research or transplantation only.

Did you know more than 106,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for organ donations? A new person is added to the list of people in need of organ transplant every 8 minutes. More than a million lifesaving or life-enhancing tissue transplants are performed every year.

Register as an Organ Donor

NOTE: When you register to become an organ donor, you will need to provide your driver's license or state ID card number.

Anyone can register to become an organ donor; just be sure you get the facts first and discuss your decision with your family.

There are multiple ways to register: online, by mail, or in person at a Division of Motor Vehicles office.

If you are 18 years old or older, you may request to have the "DONOR" designation appear on your license or ID card. The designation identifies your wish to donate your organs and/or tissues upon your death to those waiting for transplants.

There are no fees to become an organ donor. Any costs associated with organ donation, including lab tests, surgical fees and doctor's fees are paid by the organ donation organization.

Online

Potential donors can register online at:

In Person

You can register as an organ donor in person at the DMV when getting or renewing a driver's license. There will be a space on your driver's license application to indicate that you wish to become a donor.

If you prefer not to do so online, you'll need to first get your hands on a registration form from your local Division of Motor Vehicles office.

What Happens After You Register as an Organ Donor

Once you have applied to become an organ donor, your information will be added to the registry. Organ donation is only allowed after brain death. Doctors will assess your medical history to determine whether your organs can be donated. In many cases, tissue can be donated even when organs can't. Organ donation does not rule out the possibility of open casket funerals.

Since donation is considered a gift, being a donor costs you and your family nothing. The Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) foots the bill for all costs such as lab tests, surgical fees, and doctors' fees.

Change/Update Your Organ Donor Information

You can edit your Idaho organ donor profile online at the Idaho Donor Registry. You can also update your information through ORGANIZE.org.

You will need your driver's license number if you applied at the DMV.

If you applied online, you can use your donor registration ID to log in and change/update your donation preferences, address and other information.

How You Can Help With Organ Donation

Organ donation after death is not the only way to contribute.

  • Volunteer: The Yes Idaho Donate Life Coalition seeks volunteers to help educate the public about organ donation facts. Volunteers can talk at schools, churches, community events and health fairs. You can become a living donor of organs or tissue.
  • Become a living donor: Many donations, such as kidney transplant, lung transplant and liver transplant are possible with living donors because only one organ or only a lobe of an organ is used. Cash donations help with educational and operational costs.
  • Donate: Each August, you can help raise funds for the Yes Idaho Donate Life Coalition at the Dash for Donation 5K run. Individuals and teams are encouraged to join to raise awareness and funds for organ donation.
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