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Join LifeSharers, a non-profit voluntary network of organ donors. Give fellow members preferred access to organs, improving chances for those in need. Over 6,500 die on waitlist yearly; only 50% get transplant. Membership is free, and helps match organs efficiently, transparently. Get donor card, tools, and preferred access. Legal and free to join, open to all willing donors. Sign up at www.lifesharers.org.
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About LifeSharers • If you or a loved one ever need an organ for a transplant, you’ll probably die before you get one. • You can improve your odds by joining LifeSharers. Membership is free. • LifeSharers is a non-profit voluntary network of organ donors. Members agree to donate their organs when they die. www.lifesharers.org
About LifeSharers • Members give fellow members first access to their organs. Non-members can have them if no member who is a suitable match wants them. • As a member, you will have access to organs that otherwise may not be available to you. • Every time somebody joins LifeSharers, the chance you will die waiting for an organ goes down. www.lifesharers.org
Why You Should Join LifeSharers • Over 6,500 people died in 2012 while on the waiting list for an organ – one every 80 minutes. • Over 123,000 people are on the waiting list. Over 50,000 more will join the list this year – one every 10 minutes. The list is growing 5 times as fast as the rate of organ donation. • Over 50% of the people on the transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. • LifeSharers can improve your odds. www.lifesharers.org
How LifeSharers Works • LifeSharers members give fellow members preferred access to their organs. • If an organ from a recently deceased LifeSharers member becomes available, it must be offered to LifeSharers members first. • If no LifeSharers member needs the organ, or if no LifeSharers member is a suitable match for it, then the organ can be offered to non-members. www.lifesharers.org
How LifeSharers Works • LifeSharers does not match organs and recipients. The United Network for Organ Sharing does this. • LifeSharers does not interfere with the rules UNOS uses to rank organ recipients. Our members only ask that their donation be directed to the highest-ranking member on the UNOS waiting list. www.lifesharers.org
How LifeSharers Works • Members notify LifeSharers when they join the UNOS waiting list, and LifeSharers maintains a list of these members. • Relatives of deceased members call LifeSharers for names of members eligible to receive their loved one’s organs, and they give these names to transplant personnel. • Members’ wishes to donate to fellow members are also shown on their LifeSharers donor card and durable power of attorney for health care. www.lifesharers.org
What You Get When You Join • Donor card • Letter to send to doctors • Letter to send to family members • Language to insert into your durable power of attorney for health care www.lifesharers.org
What You Get When You Join • Preferred access to the organs of other LifeSharers members www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – Why should organ donors get preferred access? A – Because if donors get preferred access, more people will become donors. This will save lives. A – Because it corrects an inequity in the distribution system – people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs get about 50% of the organs that become available. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – If I’m already an organ donor, can I join LifeSharers? A – Yes. You won’t get preferred access unless you do. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – Will joining LifeSharers prevent me from getting an organ from a non-member? A – No. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – Can children join LifeSharers? A – Children under age 18 can be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – Do pre-existing medical conditions bar anyone from joining LifeSharers? A – No. Everybody who is willing to donate is welcome to join LifeSharers. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – How do you stop people from joining only after they know they need an organ? A – There is a 180-day waiting period before a member gets preferred access. This encourages people to join LifeSharers while they’re still healthy. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – Is LifeSharers legal? A – Yes. Directed donation is legal in all 50 states and under federal law. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – How many members does LifeSharers have? A – 15,612 as of Septebmer 30, 2014. Our network was launched on May 22, 2002. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – If I join LifeSharers, can I still donate my organs to a family member? A – Yes. LifeSharers members specifically reserve this right. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – How much does it cost to join LifeSharers? A – Nothing. Membership is free. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – Are contributions to LifeSharers tax-deductible? A – LifeSharers is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to LifeSharers are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. www.lifesharers.org
Frequently Asked Questions Q – How do I sign up? A – Go to www.lifesharers.org or fill out the member enrollment form on our brochure and mail it to us. www.lifesharers.org
LifeSharers • Our mission – to end the shortage of donated human organs for transplant operations • Our plan – we provide an incentive to donate, by directing the donation of our organs to others who have promised to donate theirs • Our promise – the next life you save may be your own, or someone dear to you www.lifesharers.org
For More Information • Internet – www.lifesharers.org • Email – info@lifesharers.org • Phone – 1-888-ORGAN88 www.lifesharers.org
