Donating Organs and Tissues to Advance Research
NDRI serves as the link between donors and the nation's leading researchers who are working to find new treatments or cures for cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, AIDS and a range of other diseases. For many research programs, progress in treating disease hinges on access to both normal and diseased human tissues, which are often in short supply.
NDRI also recently launched a new Rare Disease Initiative to encourage individuals with diseases like cystic fibrosis, LAM, sarcoidosis, von Hippel-Lindau and other diseases to donate following surgery or after death. NDRI is partnering with several Voluntary Health Organizations involved in the study of these diseases to help provide tissues to researchers.
NDRI has served families and the research community for more than 25 years and is the only organization facilitating anatomical gifts for research that receives major funding and oversight from federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health.
Follow the links below to learn about becoming a donor for medical research:
Sign up to Receive Donor Registration Forms
Special Donation Opportunities
Frequently asked questions about donating for research
Almost anyone of any age can donate for research, even if you have a pre-existing disease or medical condition. If you have questions about donating organs and tissues for research, call us today at 800-222-6374.
Donating Organs and Tissues for Transplant
In the event of your death, you may be able to benefit someone in need of a transplant. Nearly 95,000 people await heart, kidney, liver, lung and pancreas transplants. This year, tens of thousands of others will need site-restoring cornea transplants, and literally hundreds of thousands of people will need bone and ligament donations to repair bone and joints affected by injuries or disease, skin to heal burns and heart valves to repair faulty valves.
Transplant donations are coordinated through the nation's nonprofit organ procurement organizations along with a network of eye and tissue banks. Remember, if your organs or tissues cannot be used for transplant at the time of your death, they may still be of benefit to important research programs. Many transplant donors also donate for research with priority given to transplanting organs and tissues. Be sure to discuss your donation options with your family and explain your decision to be a donor.
To learn more about donating for transplant, explore the following links:
Donate Life America
OrganDonor.gov
The Gift of a Lifetime
For information about donating to NDRI for research please call
800-222-6374.