TISSUE DONATION
The Gift of Healing
A tissue donor can save up to 75 people. In some cases, one tissue donor can impact hundreds of lives.
Bone
Common uses:
• Rebuild bones damaged by injury or disease
• Joint reconstruction
• Spinal fusion surgeries
Tendons & Ligaments
Common uses:
• Repair knee, ankle, and shoulder injuries
• Common Injuries: Torn ACL, Rotator cuff, Achilles Tendon
Heart Valves
Common uses:
• Lifesaving surgeries for children with damaged valves and adults with heart defects
Veins & Arteries
Common uses:
• Heart bypass surgery
• Restore blood flow to prevent amputation
Skin
Common uses:
• Heal burns
• Reconstructive surgery after mastectomy
eye donation
The Gift of Sight
An eye donor can give the gift of sight to two people with their corneas and help up to eight more if the whole eye is donated.
Fuch’s Dystrophy causes fluid buildup in the eye. This leads to cloudy vision, glare, and discomfort.
Keratoconus causes the cornea to thin and bulge out into a cone shape. This causes blurry vision and sometimes sensitivity to light.
Lattice Dystrophy causes clumps of protein to form on the cornea. This can cause blurry vision.
AFTER CORNEAL TRANSPLANT
Vision is crisp and clear. Recipients can see and appreciate the precious gift of sight,
watching a beautiful sunset, and seeing their family in a whole new way.
how donation works
Tissue & Eye Donation Process
LifeShare Carolinas is proud to provide corneas to local and regional surgeons. We also work with organizations around the world to help supply doctors in other countries when possible.
Referral
Referral
- LifeShare Carolinas is notified of a patient's death.
- This call can be made by hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, medical examiners, or EMS.
- LifeShare review's the patient's condition to decide if they can be a tissue and eye donor.
Consent
Consent
Donation consent is given in one of two ways:
- If a patient had signed up as a donor, we make every effort to honor that legally-binding decision.
- If a patient has not made their wishes known, LifeShare asks their family to decide for them.
- For tissue and eye donors only, this will usually be discussed over the phone.
Medical History
Medical History
- LifeShare completes an in-depth questionnaire with the family about the patient’s medical and social history.
- This process ensures the safety of tissue and eyes for transplantation.
Recovery
Recovery
- Specially trained staff recover tissue and eyes in a hospital or other surgical site.
- Tissue and eye recovery must take place within 24 hours of the patient's cardiac death.
- The donated gifts are packed and sent to our partners for the next step.
Preparation
Preparation
- Our partners will turn the donated tissue into grafts that can be transplanted.
- Surgeons contact our partner organizations to request tissue for their patients.
- Eye surgeons contact LifeShare to request tissue for their patients.
Donor Family Follow Up
Donor Family Follow Up
- All LifeShare donor families can choose to be sent details about what gifts were recovered.
- Families can ask for information about how the gifts were used. Because this information can take months to get, families must ask LifeShare to request the information.
- Families can also join our Bridge to Healing program for support through the first year.