What is Tissue Donation?

Tissue donation includes the donation of bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, fascia lata (the thin covering of the muscles), heart valves, veins and arteries. Tissue can be used in a variety of life-enhancing surgeries that helps countless people every day.

The majority of tissue donors are previously healthy people who have died unexpectantly. Every donor is thoroughly screened for health issues that might adversely affect the recipients. Nationally, thousands of people could donate tissue every day. Unlike organ donors, tissue donors do not have to be on a breathing machine (ventilator) prior to their death…they don’t even have to be in a hospital.