Why Sign Up

Why should I sign up?

The number of patients waiting for organ transplants changes every day. As of April 2026, more than 108,000 women, men, and children are on the national transplant waiting list—and every 7 minutes, another person is added.

The need for transplants is growing faster than the number of available organs. This means more people are waiting longer for the care they need.

How can I make a difference by signing up?

Signing up to be an organ donor means you may one day help save lives. One donor can save up to eight lives. Donation can also help many more people through eye and tissue donation—helping people heal, restore sight, and live healthier lives.

Not everyone who signs up as a donor is able to donate. Only about 3 in 1,000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation after death. That's why every registered donor matters.

Living organ donation offers another way to help. Each year, thousands of living donors give a kidney or a part of their liver to someone in need. This can help patients get a transplant sooner.

Signing up is a simple step that makes your decision known. It can also make things easier for your loved ones during a difficult time.

Why does expanding the donor pool matter?

More than half of the patients on the transplant waiting list are people of color. Expanding the donor pool can help more people find a match.

Some communities are more likely to develop health conditions that can lead to organ failure. For many people, a transplant is the best—or only—treatment.

Transplants depend on finding a good match. While it’s not required, donors and patients are more likely to match when they share similar genetic backgrounds.

This is why a larger donor pool is so important. It gives more people a chance to find a match and get the care they need.