Myth #1: "I heard about this guy who went to a party, and woke up the next morning in a bathtub full of ice. His kidneys were stolen for sale on the black market!"

Reality: There is no documented case of this ever happening. Period. First, it is illegal to buy and sell organs in the United States. "Public Law 98-507 prohibits the sale of human organs. Second, due to the complexity of transplantation, piracy is practically impossible. The process of matching donors with recipients, the need for highly skilled medical professionals to perform the surgery, and the need for modern medical facilities and support necessary for transplantation make it highly unlikely that this system could be duplicated in secrecy."
Reference: United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)

Myth #2: "Rich and famous people get moved to the top of the waiting list, while ‘regular' people have to wait a long time for a transplant."

Reality: The organ allocation and distribution system is blind to wealth or social status. "The length of time it takes to receive a transplant is governed by many factors, including blood type, length of time on the waiting list, severity of illness and other medical criteria. Factors such as race, gender, age, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ."
Reference: UNOS

Myth #3: "If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows I want to be a donor, the doctors won't try to save my life."

Reality: The medical team treating you is separate from the transplant team. The organ procurement organization (OPO) is not notified until all lifesaving efforts have failed and death has been determined.

Myth #4: "My religion does not approve of donation."

Reality: All organized religions support donation, typically considering it a generous act that is the individual's choice.
Reference: Donor Awareness Council

Myth #5: "I don't want my family to have to pay if I want to donate my organs."

Reality: A donor's family or estate is not charged for donation. If a family believes it has been billed incorrectly, the family should immediately contact Donor Alliance at 303.329.4747 / 888.868.4747.

Myth #6: "If I donate, I would worry that the recipient and/or the recipient's family would discover my identity and cause more grief for my family."

Reality: Information about the donor is released by the OPO to the recipients only if the family that donated request that it be provided.
Reference: Donor Awareness Council

Myth #7: "I have a history of medical illness. You would not want my organs or tissues."

Reality: At the time of death, the OPO will review medical and social histories to determine donor suitability on a case-by-case basis.
Reference: Donor Alliance

Myth #8: "I am not the right age for donation."

Reality: Age limits for donation no longer exist.

Myth #9: "I heard they take everything, even if I only want to donate my eyes."

Reality: You may specify which organs and tissues you want donated. You can do this by communicating any exclusions to your family.

Myth #10: "Organ and tissue donation means my body will be mutilated and treated badly."

Reality: Donated organs are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to gallbladder or appendix removal. Donation doesn't disfigure the body or change its appearance in a casket.
Reference: Donor Alliance