Play
Video
Menu Close
Find a Doctor
Locations
Services
Patients & Visitors
About Us
Willis Knighton Health
Location

2600 Greenwood Road
Shreveport, LA 71103

Phone 318-212-4000

Organ Donation

Navigate Patients and Visitors
Patients and Visitors

Your organs can help save lives. More than 117,000 men, women and children are on the national transplant waiting list. Every 12 minutes a new person is added. In Louisiana, more than 1,600 people are waiting for organ transplants, 90% of whom are waiting for kidneys. Living kidney donors help families stay together.

Nearly 20 people die each day because there are too few organ donors. This adds up to thousands of people per year. You can make a difference.

Despite many myths about organ donation, only the facts count.

  • Your decision to donate will not interfere with any lifesaving medical care you need. Organ and tissue donation is only an option after all attempts are made to save your life and death is declared.
  • Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race or medical history. Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, poor eyesight or cataracts do not prevent you from being a donor.
  • One healthy donor can save up to nine lives.
  • Six organs can be used for transplant: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine.
  • All major religions approve of organ, tissue and eye donation, and see it as an unselfish act of charity.
  • Organ donation does not prevent open casket funerals.
  • Organs and tissues are removed surgically and the donor is treated with utmost dignity and respect.
  • There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ, tissue and eye donation.
  • It is illegal to distribute organs based on wealth, citizenship or celebrity status.
  • It is illegal to buy or sell organs for transplantation in the United States.
  • Let family members know about your decision to become an organ, tissue and eye donor. Only then can they support your decision to give the gift of life.

How Do I Register to Become an Organ and Tissue Donor?

A donor form is available at the hospital. Just ask your nurse. You may also sign up with these groups:

For more information please contact LOPA at 1-800-521-GIVE (4483).