Tissue Donation
Corneas
replace diseased or damaged cornea,
and can reinforce the wall of the eye.
Heart Valves
replace damaged heart valves.
Skin
grafts can help heal burn victims, abdominal wall repair, breast reconstruction after mastectomy, rotator cuff repair, and more.
Tendons
replace torn ligaments to restore mobility and decrease pain.
Bone
helps heal spinal fusion, reconstruction relatedto trauma, tumors, disease and fractures, fill defects, and more.
Cartilage
aids joint restoration and resurfacing.
ONE tissue donor can restore health and enhance the lives of more than 75 people.
Birth Tissue Donation Program
Imagine your baby beginning his or her life as a hero, helping others heal and live healthier lives. The decision to share this gift through the Birth Tissue Donation Program is truly a Labor of Love and begins an incredible legacy right from the start.
Birth Tissue Donation Heals Lives
Amazingly, the miracle of a new baby can also bring renewed life to others through birth tissue donation. Birth tissue donation, or donation of placenta tissue, can be donated with your permission following your cesarean birth to help heal lives. Your decision to share this gift does not affect the birth or medical care and does not pose any risk to you or your baby. The birth tissue will not be recovered until after the baby has been safely delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my loved one is eligible to donate?
Tissue is only viable for a short time after death to be eligible for transplantation. We have short window of time to discuss donation and once authorization is received, we work quickly to coordinate the recovery process.
Why are you calling so soon after my loved one passes?
We work closely with all the hospitals in the state of Oklahoma to ensure your loved one is eligible.
The Medical Examiner has requested to investigate my loved ones passing. Can they still donate?
We work closely with the Medical Examiner’s office to ensure both organizations can fulfill their duties. Tissue recovery does not interfere with the Medical Examiner’s investigation.
Are there additional costs that I will incur if my loved one is a tissue donor?
Costs associated with donation are covered by LifeShare. The only financial responsibility of you and your family is hospital costs not associated with donation as well as funeral arrangement costs. If you are having a hard time finding a funeral home or would like more information on whole body donation options, please contact the family specialist that you spoke with for more information.
Does recovery happen at the hospital or somewhere else?
Tissue recovery is performed at LifeShare’s dedicated tissue recovery suite located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Once we receive authorization, recovery will take place within a few hours. Once recovery is completed, we take special care of our donors and will return them to the funeral home that you have chosen.
Can we still have a viewing for my loved one's service?
Absolutely! Tissue donation does not impact viewing. We work closely with all funeral homes in the state of Oklahoma to ensure all family wishes are met. Funeral arrangements are not impacted by tissue donation.
What happens next?
All paperwork needed for your loved one to become a tissue donor is done over the phone. This process takes around 20-30 minutes.