What Can Be Donated

Up to 25 different organs and tissues can be donated for transplantation.

Transplantable organs include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, and small intestines.

Transplantable tissues include blood, blood vessels, bones, bone marrow, cartilage, connective tissues, eyes, heart valves, and skin.

Can organs be sold?

No. In books, movies, and on TV, we see dramatic accounts of wealthy people buying organs for transplantation, but this is not reality. The National Organ Transplant Act prohibits the sale of human organs for transplantation. Violators of this law are subject to fines up to $50,000 and five years in a federal prison.

Organs are distributed according to a national waiting list without preferential treatment related to race, religion, gender or financial status.