Organ Donation Saves Lives.
More than 20,000 Californians alone are on the organ transplant waitlist. They live in hope. You can help shorten their wait. Learn about the types of organ donation, important facts, and the communities where the organ donor shortage is most urgent.
Explore Types of Organ and Tissue Donation
Register to be an organ or tissue donor
Live on in a meaningful way when you give the gift of life to a patient on the transplant waitlist. You can agree to give an organ, part of an organ, blood, or tissue at the time of your death as a deceased organ donor. The organ or organ tissue (heart, lung, kidney, liver, intestines, pancreas, cornea, or birth tissue) can be transplanted to another person. There is an ongoing need for donated organs. Currently, 88% of patients on the waitlist need a kidney, and 7% are waiting for a liver.1
It is easy to sign up at the DMV or online. Join the organ registry.
Become a living donor
A living donor is someone who donates an organ, part of an organ, or organ tissue, blood, or bone marrow while they are still alive. You can serve as a living donor for relatives, loved ones, or friends.
You can also donate anonymously to anyone in need. One of the most generous actions volunteers can take is to give an organ, organ tissue, blood, or bone marrow to someone they never met. On average, 1 in 4 living donors are not related to the recipient.2
Stanford Health Care offers guidance and support for living donors. Learn more about being a living donor for the following transplant programs:
Take Action to Change or Save a Life
There Is a Critical Need for Organ, Blood, and Tissue Donors
A more diverse donor population can lead to increased access to transplants and success
The chance of longer-term survival may improve if donor and recipient are closely matched by shared genetic background. Compatible blood types and tissue markers are important matching factors and more likely to be found among members of the same race or ethnicity.
Approximately 8 in 10 people waiting for lifesaving transplants in California are Black, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American. We have a pressing need for organ donors from these communities.
Know that Stanford Medicine stands firm in its commitment to humane care and health equity for people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
- Every day, 13 people die because an organ is not available.3
- 80% of people waiting for organ transplants in California are people of color, including those who are Latinx (49%), Asian (18%), Black (9%), Pacific Islander (2%), Multiracial (1%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (<1%).1
- Every eight minutes, another person joins the waitlist.3
- 93% of Americans support organ donation, but only 53% are registered organ donors.4
- One person can save eight lives and heal more than 75 patients.3
- Patients spend an average of 3 to 5 years on the kidney transplant waitlist.5
Organ, Blood, and Tissue Donation Facts
Becoming an organ donor is an important decision. It can be a sensitive subject with many aspects to consider. We invite you to learn the facts about organ, blood, and tissue donation.
Fact: It is important to know that when you are sick or injured, your medical care professionals do not know whether you have registered as an organ donor. They are committed to saving your life. Only in the event of death do they find out if you are an organ donor and notify the organ transplant medical team.
Fact: After death, caring health professionals will determine whether your organs are viable for transplant. Throughout this evaluation and the donation process, we treat your body with care and respect.
Fact: Many religions view organ donation as an act of kindness or consider it a matter of individual conscience. Consult your spiritual advisor.
Fact: Deceased organ donors can have an open-casket funeral if that is their wish and tradition.
Fact: If you are sick or have a condition such as diabetes or cancer, you can still become an organ donor in many cases.
Fact: If you are unhealthy, you can still register as an organ donor.
Fact: People of all ages can consider themselves potential organ donors. We encourage you to register.
Fact: Sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression do not prevent you from registering as an organ donor.
If you have more questions about eligibility, visit Frequently Asked Questions at Donate Life America or Fast Facts About Organ Donation at Donate Life California.
If you have questions about becoming a living donor at any time, call our living donor team at:
650-725-9891 for Kidney Transplant Program
650-498-7878 for Liver Transplant Program
Explore Organ and Tissue Transplant Programs at Stanford Health Care
Stanford Health Care offers transplant programs that combine state-of-the-art research, innovative treatments, and comprehensive care. Our transplant programs are limited in our capabilities to provide lifesaving transplants by the number of organs available. Register to be an organ donor today.
Learn about organ and tissue transplant and find guidance for patients, families, and living donors for the following transplant types:
1"State data," Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network, accessed March 6, 2026, https://www.hrsa.gov/optn/data/data-reports.
2"Living Donation," Donate Life America, accessed March 6, 2026, https://www.donatelife.net/types-of-donation/living-donation/.
3"Organ Donation Statistics," organdonor.gov, accessed March 6, 2026, https://www.organdonor.gov/learn/organ-donation-statistics.
4"2025 National Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes and Practices: Report of Findings," organdonor.gov, accessed March 6, 2026, https://www.organdonor.gov/sites/default/files/organ-donor/professional/grants-research/nsodap-organ-donation-survey-2025.pdf.
5"The Kidney Transplant Waitlist," National Kidney Foundation, accessed March 6, 2026, https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/kidney-transplant-waitlist.