Oregon Donor Program Launches Online Registry

The registry also serves as a central location for donation information.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Donate Life Northwest (formerly Oregon Donor Program) announced Monday the launch of a statewide online donor registry.

The secure electronic system provides a safe, easy way for individuals to be certain their wishes to become an organ, eye and tissue donor are known and honored.

Currently, nearly 1.5 million Oregonians have “D” marked on their driver’s licenses, indicating their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.

However, consent must be given by the potential donor’s family members. Registering through the online donor registry takes the burden off family members and serves as informed consent to become a donor.

“Too often, we see a person’s wishes to be a donor not honored because family members don’t know about their choice or won’t provide their consent,” said Mary Jane Hunt, executive director of Donate Life Northwest. “As the state’s formalized consent process, the online registry is the only way to be completely sure your wish to be a donor is honored.”

The registry also serves as a central location for donation information, allowing organ, eye and tissue recovery agencies to quickly identify donors — and match the donors to the nearly 2,000 people in the Northwest awaiting organ transplants.

“Even though 92 percent of the U.S. population support organ donation, just 20 percent take the steps to ensure their wishes are honored,” noted Hunt. “The online registry is a simple, secure way to help solve the growing donor crisis.”

Found at donatelifenw.org, the registry allows individuals 18 years or older to specify what they wish to donate, update their information or remove themselves from the registry at any time. The registry is administered by Donate Life Northwest, but only authorized employees of the organ, eye and tissue recovery agencies can access the database.

For more information, visit donatelifenw.org or call (800) 452-1369.