How It Works

Register as a Donor

This is one of the most important steps of this lifesaving process. Arizonans can register at an ADOT MVD office or online at DonateLifeAZ.org.  

Hospitalization

Donation can only happen under certain circumstances. Organ donors specifically must pass away in a hospital setting. They are typically admitted to the ICU after a catastrophic event and are on a ventilator—a machine that helps to keep air moving in and out of the lungs.   

In fact, it is the result of hospital doctors trying so hard to save the patient’s life that organ donation is possible as an outcome when all lifesaving measures haven’t worked.  

Being a donor will not negatively impact the care you receive in an emergency.  

Donation Referral

All Arizona hospitals are required by the government to contact Donor Network of Arizona (DNA). Donation referrals happen when a patient meets clinical triggers or has already passed away.  

If one of the two situations do not happen, organ donation is not possible, and our team does not communicate with the patient’s family.  

Authorization to Donate

At this point, DNA checks to see if the patient is registered as an organ and tissue donor. Being registered is a legally binding decision, just like a will or living trust.

If the patient isn’t registered, team members from DNA will discuss what’s possible through donation for the family to authorize. Either way, DNA will communicate with the family to walk them through the process.

Recovery

Organ recovery happens in a sterile OR just like any other surgical procedure. DNA supports recovery in collaboration with organ transplant surgeons. The process from start to finish is focused on respect and dignity for the donor as a hero.  

After the recovery or organs (and/or tissues), the donor is then transported to the funeral home of their (or the family’s) choice.  

Allocation

This is how an organ finds its recipient. So many factors go into who gets an available organ donation: 

1. The recipient’s medical urgency
2. Blood type
3. Size of the organ compared to the recipient’s body size
4. Distance from the donor’s hospital location
5. Time on the waiting list
6. Much more

A computer system at the national level uses these factors to determine the best matching waiting list patients. Then DNA will start contacting the organ transplant centers of the patients who match to see if they will accept the gift(s).

Organ Preservation & Transportation

Donated organs are transported in a number of ways. It could be by medical courier services or even on commercial flights. They get delivered in the most efficient way possible—across town or across the country—in specialized devices that keep the organ healthy and protected.

Transplant Surgery

Specialized surgeons perform the transplant surgery. After that, the recipient is committed to a lifetime of antirejection medications and regular medical checkups.  

For their patients, this was their final hope of surviving. Successful transplants mean more people get more time with their family and friends, to make a difference in their community, and make the most of life.  

Donor Family Aftercare

DNA offers a two-year aftercare program to continue supporting donor families through grief. The program includes: 

• Correspondence with our team 
• Invitations to special events to honor their loved one’s legacy 
• Help with writing letters to recipients 
• And much more  

Some donor family members (as well as recipients) feel so compelled to give back and sign up to volunteer with DNA.