Donation does not disfigure the body and does not interfere with funeral plans, including open casket services. Recovery of organs and tissues is conducted in a surgical manner in an operating room under the direction of surgeons. Kidneys, lung, corneas, liver, pancreas, heart valves, bones, tendons, skin and bone marrow can all be transplanted. If desired, a donor can specify on a donor card which organs and tissues they want to donate. The organ most commonly given by a living donor is the kidney.
People usually have two kidneys, and one is all that is needed to live a normal life.
Parts of other organs including the lung, liver and pancreas have also been transplanted from living donors. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment. Among the reasons for this rule is the concern of Congress that buying and selling of organs might lead to inequitable access to donor organs with the wealthy having an unfair advantage. The donor's family does not pay for the cost of the organ donation. All costs related to donation of organs and tissues are paid by the recipient, usually through insurance or Medicare.