Tennessee Organ Donation Laws: What You Need to Know Before Donating
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Thousands of Tennessee residents are on the organ transplant list waiting for an eligible donor. Organ donors provide life-saving gifts and allow recipients to regain a higher quality of life.
Learn more about Tennessee organ donation laws and how to become a donor below. Then, use EverQuote to research Tennessee auto insurance policy options and find cheap car insurance in Tennessee.
Introduction to Organ Donation in Tennessee
According to Tennessee Donor Services (TDS), only 44% of eligible residents are registered organ donors, which falls below the national average of 54%. TDS' goal is to educate people about organ and tissue donation and get more people to register. In 2023, TDS registered more than 170,000 new prospective donors.
TDS, along with partner DCI Donor Services, is Tennessee’s primary organ procurement organization. They connect donors with people who need organs and tissue donations. However, there are more than 2,500 people in Tennessee still waiting for an organ transplant.
Legal Framework Governing Organ Donation in Tennessee
The Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act is the primary law governing organ donation in Tennessee. It covers subjects such as:
- Who can donate: Adults 18 and over can be organ donors. Minors can also donate organs or tissue if they are emancipated or have permission from a parent or guardian.
- How to donate: The intent to make a gift can be indicated on your driver’s license, in your will, by expressing your wishes verbally to witnesses, or by signing a statement yourself or through an agent. Donors, their agents, or their family members may amend, revoke, or refuse gifts at any time.
- Who can receive donations: Donors can make anatomical gifts to medical organizations, educational institutions, and organ procurement organizations. Donors can also name individuals, eye banks, or tissue banks.
- The rights and responsibilities of procurement organizations: Hospitals and procurement organizations can access donor registry information to contact potential donors or a donor family. Doctors will conduct examinations to determine the suitability of a donation. Doctors cannot be involved in the transplant or removal of an organ if they have treated the donor during death.
How to Become an Organ Donor in Tennessee
You can register for Tennessee organ donation in two ways. First, you can sign up at Tennessee Driver Services Centers. When you apply for a new driver’s license or renew your license, you will be asked whether you want to become a donor. By checking “Yes,” you will be signed up as a donor and have a heart symbol placed on your license or identification card.
The second way is to register on the Donate Life Tennessee website. You’ll need your address, contact information, and basic identification information.
Donor Rights and Family Considerations
Healthcare workers and lawmakers alike understand that organ donation is a selfless act that deserves to be appreciated to the fullest. The Anatomical Gift Act outlines the rights of donors and their families to ensure that organ donors are respected.
Donors must give consent to donate, and they and their families have the right to revoke consent at any time. Your information will be kept private. You should also feel confident that your donation is used for its intended purpose, whether that be transplantation, therapy, research, or education.
Minors can also become organ donors by indicating on their license that they would like to donate once they are old enough. However, their parents or guardians get to make the final decision.
Official Documentation for Organ Donation
Organ donation documentation is similar to the paperwork for any other medical procedure. You will need to sign consent paperwork that allows medical staff to treat you, as well as statements that you understand any risks.
Types of Donations Recognized in Tennessee
Several types of donations are recognized in Tennessee, including organs, tissue, birth tissue, and eye donation.
Organ donors can donate parts such as lungs, hearts, kidneys, livers, intestines, and more. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation. However, it is difficult to find donors for full organ donation, since death has to occur in a manner that the donor’s organs are still healthy enough for the recipient.
Tissue donors can help 75 or more people through gifts like skin, corneas, bones, and heart valves. Tissue donation can help treat recipients with congenital heart defects, burns, wounds, and blindness. Similarly, mothers can donate tissues such as the placenta, the umbilical cord, or amniotic and chorionic membranes to help treat nerve damage and heal wounds.
Finally, eye donors can donate tissue to the eye bank to help restore eyesight and prevent disorders such as glaucoma or cataracts.
How to Ensure Your Wishes Are Honored
Registering as an organ donor is just one way you can donate. You can also indicate your wishes in your will or fill out an advance directive that advises doctors of your healthcare decisions regarding organ donation.
When you decide to become an organ donor, you should have a conversation with your family to make sure they understand your wishes. Explain why you want to be an organ donor and that you ’d appreciate their support in making it happen.
Ready to Become an Organ Donor? Take the First Step Today
Are you ready to sign up for TN organ donation? Stop by your local Driver Services Center today or sign up online at DonateLifeTN.org.
If you’re getting or renewing your driver’s license, it’s also important to meet other driver requirements. Make sure you have valid Tennessee car insurance by comparing custom options with EverQuote.