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www.lifesharers.org
About LifeSharers
> If you or a loved one ever need an organ for a transplant, you’ll probably die before you get one.
> You can improve your odds by joining LifeSharers. Membership is free.
> LifeSharers is a non-profit voluntary network of organ donors. Members agree to donate their organs when they die.
www.lifesharers.org
About LifeSharers
> Members give fellow members first access to their organs. Non-members can have them if no member who is a suitable match wants them.
> As a member, you will have access to organs that otherwise may not be available to you.
> Every time somebody joins LifeSharers, the chance you will die waiting for an organ goes down.
www.lifesharers.org
Why You Should Join LifeSharers
> Over 6,300 people died in 2013 while on the waiting list for an organ – one every 80 minutes.
> Over 123,000 people are on the waiting list. Over 50,000 more will join the list this year – one every 10 minutes. The list is growing 5 times as fast as the rate of organ donation.
> Over 50% of the people on the transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant.
> LifeSharers can improve your odds.
www.lifesharers.org
How LifeSharers Works
> LifeSharers members give fellow members preferred access to their organs.
> If an organ from a recently deceased LifeSharers member becomes available, it must be offered to LifeSharers members first.
> If no LifeSharers member needs the organ, or if no LifeSharers member is a suitable match for it, then the organ can be offered to non-members.
www.lifesharers.org
How LifeSharers Works
> LifeSharers does not match organs and recipients. The United Network for Organ Sharing does this.
> LifeSharers does not interfere with the rules UNOS uses to rank organ recipients. Our members only ask that their donation be directed to the highest-ranking member on the UNOS waiting list.
www.lifesharers.org
How LifeSharers Works
> Members notify LifeSharers when they join the UNOS waiting list, and LifeSharers maintains a list of these members.
> Relatives of deceased members call LifeSharers for names of members eligible to receive their loved one’s organs, and they give these names to transplant personnel.
> Members’ wishes to donate to fellow members are also shown on their LifeSharers donor card and durable power of attorney for health care.
www.lifesharers.org
What You Get When You Join
> Donor card
> Letter to send to doctors
> Letter to send to family members
> Language to insert into your durable power of attorney for health care
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> Preferred access to the organs of other LifeSharers members
What You Get When You Join
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Why should organ donors get preferred access?
A – Because if donors get preferred access, more people will become donors. This will save lives.
A – Because it corrects an inequity in the distribution system – people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs get about 50% of the organs that become available.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – If I’m already an organ donor, can I join LifeSharers?
A – Yes. You won’t get preferred access unless you do.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Will joining LifeSharers prevent me from getting an organ from a non-member?
A – No.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Can children join LifeSharers?
A – Children under age 18 can be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Do pre-existing medical conditions bar anyone from joining LifeSharers?
A – No. Everybody who is willing to donate is welcome to join LifeSharers.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How do you stop people from joining only after they know they need an organ?
A – There is a 180-day waiting period before a member gets preferred access. This encourages people to join LifeSharers while they’re still healthy.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Is LifeSharers legal?
A – Yes. Directed donation is legal in all 50 states and under federal law.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How many members does LifeSharers have?
A – 15,695 as of August 31, 2015. Our network was launched on May 22, 2002.
15,000
15,500
16,000
Aug Oct Dec Feb Apr Jun Aug
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q – If I join LifeSharers, can I still donate my organs to a family member?
A – Yes. LifeSharers members specifically reserve this right.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How much does it cost to join LifeSharers?
A – Nothing. Membership is free.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Are contributions to LifeSharers tax-deductible?
A – LifeSharers is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to LifeSharers are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – How do I sign up?
A – Go to www.lifesharers.org or fill out the member enrollment form on our brochure and mail it to us.
www.lifesharers.org
LifeSharers
> Our mission – to end the shortage of donated human organs for transplant operations
> Our plan – we provide an incentive to donate, by directing the donation of our organs to others who have promised to donate theirs
> Our promise – the next life you save may be your own, or someone dear to you
www.lifesharers.org
For More Information
> Internet – www.lifesharers.org
> Email – [email protected]
> Phone – 1-888-ORGAN88
