Kentucky Circuit Clerks' Trust For Life
We register Kentucky residents as organ donors.
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Why Become a Donor?
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Organ, eye and tissue donors offer recipients a second chance at life, but the need for donations is much greater than the number available — and every day more people are added to the waiting list.
About Us
Donate Life Kentucky consists of organ, eye and tissue nonprofits around the state, dedicated to educating on the importance of donation and encouraging everyone to become registered donors. KODA, KY Circuit Courts Clerks and Kentucky Lions Eye Bank helped establish the Donor Registry.
Eleanor’s Story
Eleanor was on full life support after her birth in 2010. Tests revealed a congenital heart defect. Doctors said a transplant was the only option, and she was added to the national waiting list for a heart transplant. She is alive today because of organ donation. Eleanor’s parents know few details but have sent a letter of deep gratitude to their donor and family. Eleanor is now a big sister and a lively spirit to be around!
See more Gift of Life stories here.
A Growing Need For New Donors
22 People die everyday waiting on a lifesaving transplant.
114,000 People are awaiting a lifesaving transplant.
Every 10 Minutes someone is added to the national waiting list.
More Than 1,000 people in Kentucky are waiting on a lifesaving transplant.
Why Donate Life?
- One organ donor can save up to eight lives
- One tissue donor can heal more than 50 lives
- Every year over 1,000 Kentuckians have eyesight restored through a cornea transplant
- All donor families receive grief support through our Aftercare Program
Did You Know?
All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation.
One of the biggest myths is that donation is against some religions. In fact, most religions regard it as a final act of love, charity and generosity.
Wealthy and famous people have to wait, just like everyone else.
The misperception that celebrities receive transplants more often is just a result of how much more attention is paid to their lives, as opposed to the public.
Anyone, at any age, can be considered for organ donation.
There are no age limits. Parents or guardians must authorize donation for those under 18, but the oldest donor in Kentucky was 83. She saved 3 lives.
Need For Donors
What Can I Donate?
There are various organs on the list, for a variety of transplant needs. Today, more than 114,000 Americans, 1,000 Kentuckians and 1,000 Hoosiers are awaiting one of these life-saving organs.
Heart
As the hardest working muscle, the heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Leading causes for transplant: Heart failure, heart disease and cardiomyopathy.
Kidney
Kidneys filter waste and excess water from the blood to balance the overall fluid in the body. Leading causes for transplant: Cystic kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Lungs
Air is carried to the lungs where small air sacs extract oxygen and exchange it for carbon dioxide. Leading causes for transplant: Cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.
Liver
The liver breaks down harmful substances in the blood, aids in digestion and stores vitamins, sugars and fats. Leading causes for transplant: Liver disease and hepatitis.
Pancreas
The pancreas makes insulin, which helps the body use sugar for energy and produces enzymes that break down fat, protein and carbohydrates. Leading causes for transplant: Type 1 diabetes and pancreas failure.
Small Intestine
The small intestine digests food and absorbs nutrients back into the bloodstream. Leading causes for transplant: Twisted or blocked intestines, most commonly in babies.
Eye Donation
Cornea transplant is the most common of all transplants performed, exceeding 46,000 per year in the United States. Thanks to advances in pharmacology, medical instruments, and surgical techniques, cornea transplants exceed a 95% success rate.
The cornea protects the eye from dust and germs and is responsible for focusing. Leading causes for transplant: Hereditary, glaucoma, injury including burns and abrasions, disease and infection.
Tissue Donation
Bone, cartilage, fascia, heart valves, ligaments, pericardium, skin, tendons, and veins are all included with tissue donation. These donations are used for many reasons to save and heal recipients:
- Burn victims: Paper-thin skin is unobtrusively recovered from a donor and used as a biological bandage, preventing infection and allowing the recipient to heal until their own skin can grow back.
- Cancer patients: Bone tumors, which would have required amputation in the past, are now replaceable due to donated bone. Bone can also be used in spinal surgeries, hip replacements, and dental surgery.
- Babies: Donated heart valves are often used to save the lives of babies born with defects and heart conditions.
- Athletes: Donated ligaments and tendons often help restore mobility for athletes with an irreversible injury.
Living Donation
Living donors can provide many types of organs, including the kidney and segments of the liver, lung, and pancreas without reduced function to their own bodies.
Separate from the Kentucky Donor Registry, living donation is not included when you register to become an organ, eye and tissue donor online or at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. Once an individual decides to be a living donor, he or she must qualify through a hospital transplant program to be considered.