American Red Cross of Tompkins County

More than half a million people a year live fuller, healthier lives because of volunteer tissue donors. Many kinds of tissue can be donated to save and improve lives.

Bone tissue is used to repair or replace bone after serious injury, bone cancer, or crippling diseases of the bone.
Skin tissue is used as a temporary covering to reduce pain and lower the change of infection to patients with severe burns.
Heart valves help children born with heart problems or adults who have heart disease and damaged valves.
Tendons and Ligaments are used to replace or strengthen damaged tissues in injured knees and other joints.
Corneas are used to restore sight to people with decreased vision from corneal disease or injury.

It only takes a few moments to make the commitment to tissue donation.

To become a tissue donor:

Sign a donor card and carry it with you.
Talk to your family and make sure they understand your commitment because their consent is required before tissues may be donated.

If you change your mind after you sign a donor card, simply tear up the card and tell your family about your decision. For a free brochure on how to share your decision with your family, call 1-800-836-6677.