Some facts:

• There is no age limit for organ donation.
• Becoming an organ donor will have no impact on the care you receive should you fall ill.
• There are strict legal guidelines that must be carefully followed before brain death can be declared and organs removed.

Arnold Risman and his wife Barbara, a 1995 heart recipient and 2007 living kidney recipient.

• The doctors who treat a patient at the time of death are in no way involved with those responsible for organ removal.
• Organ donation is considered only after every effort has been made to save the patient's life.
• Those with active cancer, HIV or active infection are not candidates for organ donation. People with hepatitis B or C may be donors.
• There is no charge to become an organ donor. All costs for donation are covered by the local organ procurement organization.
• Organ donation does not disfigure the body or delay funeral arrangements.