Sign up to be an organ donor

Wisconsin is the first state to pass legislation that allows living organ donors up to a $10,000 tax deduction for non-medical expenses incurred.

Living donation

While it is important to talk about end-of-life decisions including organ donation, it is becoming more common to donate organs while living. While donating a kidney is the most common donation, examples of other organs that can be donated include a lobe of a lung, partial liver, pancreas or intestine.

Although the decision to become a living donor involves careful consideration, being a living donor offers others an alternative to waiting on the national transplant waiting list for an organ from a deceased donor.

To become a donor

Wisconsin residents can indicate a desire to donate organs on their driver's licenses or state identification cards or by filling out uniform donor cards. These cards must be carried at all times, and must by signed.

It is very important to tell family members so they understand and support your decision.

To obtain a uniform donor card, log on to http://www.wisdonornetwork.org. Click on the link to available resources at the top of the page and select the downloads link. Then, select donor brochure with donor card.

To obtain a form to tell family members, log on to www.donatelife.net, click on Wisconsin on the map and click on the link in the pop-up window.

More than half in state designate selves as organ donors

Associated Press — 8/17/2009 7:43 am

Fifty-three percent of Wisconsin drivers and ID holders are designated as organ donors.

Last year there were 228 organ donors in Wisconsin, and 578 people in the state received an organ transplant.
Nationwide, almost 103,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant.

Early next year, a new Wisconsin Donor Registry will be introduced. Gov. Jim Doyle's office says the registry will make it easier for people to list themselves as a donor.***

Mike Jagler wanted to be an organ donor and expressed that desire to his wife Jill during their marriage. When Mike passed away unexpectedly, Jill didn't hesitate to follow through on her husband's request. Mike lives on - in Jill's heart and in his recipients. Read Mike & Jill's story in the Transplant Stories Section of our website.

***The Wisconsin Donor Registry will be introduced on April 1, 2010. Please check this page after that date to see how you can list yourself as a potential donor.***

North Central Wisconsin Donate Life Foundation

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world..... - Anonymous

More than half in state designate selves as organ donors