SIGNING A DONOR CARD OR REGISTERING ON KENTUCKY’S ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY WILL AFFECT THE LEVEL OF MEDICAL CARE I RECEIVE IN THE HOSPITAL.

Absolutely not true!  The level of medical care is always based on the determination of what is best for you to preserve your life and improve your health.  A transplant team would not be involved at all until all possible efforts to save your life have failed.  The criteria used to determine brain death are very strict.  Doctors involved in treating a patient cannot be involved in donation or transplantation. 

MY FAMILY WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REMOVAL OF MY ORGANS OR TISSUE. 

Not true.  Donation costs nothing to the donor’s family or estate.  Organ procurement expenses are absorbed by the transplant center, the recipient, or in some cases, the federal government. 

MY RELIGION OBJECTS TO ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION. 

Moral leaders all over the world favor donation as an expression of the highest humanitarian ideals.  The gift of an organ donor, essential to the life of another human being, is consistent with most major religions.  If you have any questions in this regard, you should consult with your religious leader.   

I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL BECAUSE OF DISFIGUREMENT IF I DONATE ORGANS OR TISSUE. 

There is no change in the way the body looks after organ and tissue donation.  The removal of organs and tissues is a sterile, surgical procedure conducted in the operating room under the direction of qualified surgeons.  The physical condition of the body remains completely intact for burial arrangements. 

ONCE I REGISTER ON KENTUCKY’S ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY I CANNOT CHANGE MY MIND. 

If you change your mind, simply inform your family and contact KODA (800-525-3456) to remove your name from the registry.