Other Kinds of Donation
Bone Marrow Donation
When people are faced with a life-threatening illness requiring a marrow transplant, they turn to a national registry that lists possible matches for a successful marrow transplant.
The National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match is working to centralize their donor recruitment and workup activities under one entity, NMDP/BTM.
Iowans are encouraged to join the Be The Match Registry as a potential life-saving donors. We also encourage Iowans to contact Be The Match directly to get involved in this life-saving program.
Organ Donation
You can do a few things now so your family and friends know you are willing to be an organ donor:
- Talk to your family and friends and let them know that this is something you want to do in the event something happens to you.
- Register to be an organ and tissue donor through the Iowa Donor Network.
- Put a 'yes' on your driver's license when you renew your license. This act provides legal consent for organ, tissue and eye donation in Iowa, it indicates your desire to be an organ donor and is a guide to the medical staff and family at the time that something happens.
The Deeded Body Program
Students from a variety of healthcare disciplines benefit from the generosity of individuals who donate their bodies to the Deeded Body Program.
A person must formally register for this program. Documentation includes a brief medical history and a deed of disposition signed by the donor and two witnesses.
An embalmed body is used for 12 to 18 months before studies are completed. When studies are completed the program will comply with the wishes of the next of kin or person responsible for the donor's affairs regarding final disposition.