The generosity of donors and donor families is the reason that Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) can serve its mission to save and heal lives through donation and transplantation. Organ, eye and tissue donation transforms the lives of countless individuals each year. Additionally, donation for research and education plays a vital role in that same mission. Donors and their families make these advancements possible when they authorize the recovery of organs, eyes and tissue for transplant and research.

WHAT IS DONATION FOR RESEARCH?

DNA is proud to partner with various research and education agencies—such as academic medical centers, hospitals, universities and biotechnology agencies—that allow for innovative ways for Arizona donors to help others in the future. Through these research programs, donors can give organs, eyes and tissue to help lead to better treatments, new cures and improved medical processes.

More lives are saved through improved recovery methods, new post-transplant therapies, and advanced treatments for diseases that lead to organ failure in the first place.

HOW CAN PEOPLE SIGN UP TO DONATE FOR TRANSPLANT AND RESEARCH?

The most common way Arizonans register as organ, eye and tissue donors is at an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office. If you check the box, you authorize donation for transplantation only. If you already registered, you can edit your donation profile to include research. If you want to join the DonateLifeAZ Registry now, you can sign up now on DonateLifeAZ.org and choose transplantation and research.

IS DONATING FOR RESEARCH THE SAME AS WHOLE-BODY DONATION?

Please note donating for research is not the same as whole-body donation. If you want to participate in whole-body donation for research and education, you can register with any whole-body donation agency of your preference. DNA supports whole-body donation but does not directly coordinate. Two whole-body research organizations DNA frequently works with are United Tissue Network and Science Care—both accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks.

In general, if one is registered for all three donation options, (donation for transplant, donation for research, donation for whole-body research) recovery for lifesaving and life-healing transplantation takes priority. Organ and tissue donation for research, education and whole-body donation fall next in line with all types of donation avenues a possibility for the same donor.

DNA respects everyone’s end-of-life decisions, including people who decide not to participate in donation. Our wish is that the option of organ, eye and tissue donation for research offers even more comfort and hope to registered donors, their families and the people waiting for a lifesaving or healing transplant.

DNA’S RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE: