Registry

African Americans & the Need • Registry • The Need

Organ Donor Registry Based on First Person Consent

In Washington and Montana, something exciting is happening in the field of organ donation. It's called "first person consent". That means that an individual's decision to be an organ and tissue donor will be honored, and that their family's permission is no longer required.

To ensure that a person's decision about organ donation will be known at the time of death, a new registry has been established.

On June 16, 2003, the Living Legacy Registry was launched. This registry is a confidential list of people who have decided to become organ and tissue donors after death.

Nationally, there are 82,329 people waiting for organs and tissues. Of these, 55,198 people are waiting for a kidney transplant. Clearly, there is a great need for organ and tissue donors.

Please tell your family and friends about the new registry, and encourage them to find out about organ donation.

There are 3 ways to join the registry:

On-line. Register on the Living Legacy Registry's Website.

In-person. Register at the Department of Licensing when you renew your Washington State Driver's License.

By phone. Call LifeCenter Northwest at 1-877-275-5269 for an information packet.

Take Action Today!

If you already have already marked heart or "organ donor" on your Washington State Driver's License, your information will eventually be added to the registry, but it may take a few more months. In the meantime, you may go on-line and join the registry.

This will allow you to learn more about your options, and also to be more specific about your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation.

If you carry an organ donor card, but do not have it noted on your driver's license, we encourage you join the registry.

Your organ donor card is still a legally binding document, but it can be misplaced or overlooked, especially in a time of crisis.

Joining the registry will help ensure that your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation will be honored at the time of your death.