Organ and Tissue Donor Program
Vision: Optimal health and safety for all Missourians, in all communities, for life.
Mission: To promote health and safety through prevention, collaboration, education, innovation and response.
The Organ and Tissue Donor Program educates the public on why organ and tissue donation is important. Donating can help heal and save lives. The statewide registry lets people record their choice. At the time of death, authorized users can access this information to help heal and save others.
The program:
- Takes care of, keeps up, and helps with technical support for the registry
- Plans programs
- Educates in the community
- Writes and manages contracts to help reach goals
- Recognizes community members
- Supports the program advisory committee
- Fosters partnerships
- Seeks funding to support education and registry efforts
- Works to sustain funding
Program Focus
- Maintain a statewide, confidential registry of potential donors.
- Develop and implement statewide donation awareness programs for the education of the general public.
- Implement donation awareness programs within secondary schools.
- https://health.mo.gov/living/organdonor/statutesandbills.php
Funding
The Organ Donor Program is supported by voluntary contributions at the driver’s license offices in the state and through direct contributions. Contributions to the Organ Donor Program Fund are preserved by law and cannot be used as general revenue. Likewise, the Organ and Tissue Donor Program and Fund is prohibited from receiving any general revenue funds (RSMo 194.297). Your generous support is appreciated.
Donate Life Missouri Registry
donate their organs and tissues. It covers the entire state. It is voluntary, meaning you choose to be on it. It is confidential, meaning your information is kept private. The registry was created by law.
This registry is a first-person consent registry. This means that your decision to donate is final, unless you cancel it in a way allowed by law. In the past, a family member had to make the final decision about donating. Now, you decide, and your family’s approval is not needed. You are encouraged to share your decision with your family. If you are an adult (18 years old or older, or a young person who is legally independent), your decision is legally binding. If you signed up for Missouri’s registry before August 28, 2008, you need to sign up again to have first-person consent status. If you are an adult (18 years old or older, or a young person who is legally independent), your decision is legally binding. If you signed up for Missouri’s registry before August 28, 2008, you need to sign up again to have first-person consent status. Read the informed consent carefully.
For your information to stay current on the registry, you should say “yes” every time you get or renew your learner’s permit, driver’s license or state ID. You will be asked, “Do you agree to be listed in the Donor Registry System as an organ, eye, and tissue donor?” Saying “yes” keeps your registry record up-to-date.
If you agree, you can also have a symbol displayed on your permit, license or ID. You will be asked, “Do you allow an Organ Donor Symbol to be placed on your license or permit?”
You can read the laws that were passed about Organ and Tissue Donation and Missouri’s registry system (Donate Life Missouri Registry) on the Statutes and Bills page.
Organ Donation Advisory Committee (ODAC)
A ten-member advisory committee, appointed by the Department of Health and Senior Services Director, may assist with the development and implementation of the Organ and Tissue Donor Program and recommend priorities for expenditures from the Organ Donor Program Fund.
- Committee Information and Application