Discussions with your physician are most helpful during times of good health. Many tissues must be removed within 24 hours. It instantly alerts medical personnel to your wishes, increasing the chances that your organs and tissues can be used to benefit others if you die. However, depending on your state's laws, your next of kin still may need to give consent for any organ or tissue donation. That's why it's so important to tell family members your wishes.
Brain death means there's a total absense of brain activity.
Special machines can be used to maintain breathing and blood pressure, but the longer the machines are used, the less likely the organs will remain usable for transplant. The dashed gray line about half way down the image is the place to fold the card after you have printed it. Additionally, we would love to know if you decided to utilize our online card.