Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Celebrates National Donate Life Month #DonateLife

As an organ donor it saddens me to know there are 100,000 people—including nearly 2,000 children— in need of a life saving organ transplant. Join Children's Healthcare of Atlanta throughout April as they celebrate National Donate Life Month. Recognize the generosity of those who have saved lives through organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation.

Learn the Facts

Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation: 

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.
Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.
Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.
Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.
Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.
Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.

Become an Organ Donor

There are 3 easy steps to becoming an organ donor:

1. Register with your state (Donate Life Georgia or Donate Life America).
2. Designate “organ donor” on your driver’s license or identification card.
3. Notify your family members about your decision to donate.
4. If you are under 17 years old, you can join the Donate Life Georgia Registry but, your parents will make the final decision about organ, tissue, and eye donation at the appropriate time.