Myth: Wealthy people can buy organs.
Fact: It’s a federal crime to buy or sell organs and tissues. Factors such as race, gender, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ. The organ allocation and distribution system is based on many factors including blood type, length of time on the waiting list, geographical location, severity of illness and other medical criteria. It is impossible to buy a place on the waiting list.

Myth: Doctors may let me die so they can transplant organs to other patients.
Fact: Doctors who treat patients at the time of death have nothing to do with donation or transplantation of their organs and tissues. Every effort is made to save a patient’s life before donation can be considered.

Myth: It costs money to donate.
Fact: There is no cost to the donor’s estate or insurance company for donation.

Myth: Donation disfigures the body and delays funeral plans.
Fact: Donation does not disfigure the body or change the way a person looks. Donated organs and tissues are removed surgically. Most donations take place within 24 hours after death and therefore won’t delay funeral arrangements.

Myth: My religion opposes donation.
Fact: All major religions—Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism—fully support donation.

Myth: Business travelers are drugged and their kidneys stolen to be transplanted on the Black Market.
Fact: Although this myth continues to flourish on the Internet and other media outlets, it has never been substantiated. This has never occurred in the United States or any other industrialized country. The myth has no factual basis in legitimate organ transplantation.

Myth: If I sign a donor card I will be a donor.
Fact: Signing up on the Arizona Donor Registry at www.AZDonorRegistry.org is the best way to make sure that you are a donor in Arizona. If you prefer to sign a donor card, be sure to discuss your decision with your family members.

Myth: Transplants don’t really work. They are experimental.
Fact: Americans receive more than 20,000 solid organ transplants and 500,000 tissue transplants annually. Transplantation is a standard medical procedure, and survival and success rates are extremely high.

Myth: Donation is emotionally painful for the donor’s family.
Fact: Studies show that donation most often provides immediate and long-term consolation. Donation can be especially comforting when the death is unexpected and the donor is young.