Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers about Donate Life Minnesota
- How do I join Donate Life Minnesota?
- What does being on Donate Life Minnesota mean?
- Does Donate Life Minnesota allow me to sign up to be a marrow or living organ donor?
- Does my registration grant consent for whole body donation?
- How will my family be informed of my decision?
- I don't want to sign up online. Is there any other way to register?
- After I've signed up, how do I make changes to my registration?
- Should I be concerned about submitting personal information on Donate Life Minnesota?
- Who is responsible for Donate Life Minnesota?
- Who manages eye donation in Minnesota?
- What if I change my mind after I register on Donate Life Minnesota?
Questions and Answers about Donate Life Minnesota
How do I join Donate Life Minnesota?
You can sign up by clicking here and following the instructions to complete the registration form.
What does being on Donate Life Minnesota mean?
- Every individual has the right to decide if they would like to extend the gift of life through donation. Donate Life Minnesota helps ensure that those who would like to donate are given the opportunity to do so.
- Registration on Donate Life Minnesota means that you have elected to have all of your organs and tissues made available for transplant at the time of your death. As always, it is essential that you communicate to your family your decision to be a donor.
- Your family will be informed of your decision to be an organ and tissue donor at the time of your death and asked to provide information about your medical and social history.
- Registration on Donate Life Minnesota is not the only way to be a donor. If you decide to be a donor, but prefer not to register online, it is important to tell your family about your decision. At the time of your death, your family will be contacted to make the decision to donate on your behalf.
Does Donate Life Minnesota allow me to sign up to be a marrow or living organ donor?
No. Donate Life Minnesota is for individuals who want to express their wishes to donate their organs and tissues after death. For information on bone marrow donation, please visit the National Marrow Donor Program. For information on living donation, please click here.
Does my registration grant consent for whole body donation?
Organ and tissue donation for transplant or research is not the same as willed body donation. Willed whole body programs are usually associated with teaching hospitals at major universities, and arrangements must be made in advance directly with the institutions.
How will my family be informed of my decision?
The welcome packet you receive upon submitting your information online will include postcards that you can give to your friends and family informing them of your wish to extend the gift of life through donation. Should you have the opportunity to become a donor, the donation coordinator at the hospital will also notify your family at the time of your death. We strongly encourage you to talk to your family about your decision so that they can be prepared to provide information about your medical and social history. Your family will be supported by our staff both at the time of donation and on an on-going basis.
I don't want to sign up online. Is there any other way to register?
If you want to join Donate Life Minnesota but are uncomfortable submitting your information online, please click here for a printable version of the application and mail it to LifeSource at:
LifeSourceAttn: Donor Registry
2550 University Avenue West
Suite 315 South
St. Paul, MN 55114
Minnesotans can also add donor designation to their driver's license when they apply or renew their application; you can also go in to any Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau at any time to request a duplicate license with "donor" on it (please note: there is an $11.00 charge for this).
After I've signed up, how do I make changes to my registration?
Please contact LifeSource at 888.5.DONATE and inform us of any changes.
Should I be concerned about submitting personal information on Donate Life Minnesota?
All information submitted will be used only for official Donate Life Minnesota transplant business and will be kept completely secure and confidential. The information will only be accessible to a small number of experts with the sole purpose of verifying donation wishes. We will not share, sell or otherwise compromise this information.
Who is responsible for Donate Life Minnesota?
LifeSource, the non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation in the Upper Midwest, is responsible for maintaining Donate Life Minnesota. If you would like more information about LifeSource, click here.
Who manages eye donation in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, eye donation is managed by the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. Please visit their website for more information about the gift of sight.
What if I change my mind after I register on Donate Life Minnesota?
You can remove your name from the registry by sending us a written request. Please click here to fill out the form. You will receive a confirmation by mail that you have been removed from Donate Life Minnesota. Please keep in mind that at the time of your death your family may still be approached by a donation coordinator to see if they would like to make the decision to donate on your behalf.
