One of the most common misconceptions we hear in our Nevada Strong community is, “I cannot donate because I am too old and have a medical condition.” The fact is, anyone can register to be a hero regardless of their age or medical conditions. Each person is evaluated at the time of their passing to determine which organs and tissues may be medically suitable for donation. In honor of Older Americans Month, we recognize the contributions older adults across the country have made to our mission.
Are there age limits that impact someone’s ability to be a heroic donor? According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), there is no age limit for organ donation. People in their 50s, 60s, 70s and older have donated and received organs. The fact is people of all ages can be organ donors. The oldest organ donor in the United States was Cecil F. Lockhart, a 95-year-old coalminer and World War II veteran from West Virginia. In May of 2021, he donated his liver to save a 62-year-old woman's life. Cecil also donated his tissue to more than 20 other people in desperate need of healing.
Being older does not mean you are unable to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. When you pass away, doctors will decide if you are medically able to give the ultimate gift. In 2023, about 64% of all Americans who received an organ transplant were 50 or older. Over 23% of these grateful recipients were 65 or older. Also, in 2023, two out of every five people who donated their organs were over 50.
Does this information surprise you? Many people are living healthier lives and understand the importance of doing activities that can prolong their life (eating well, exercising, regularly visiting their general physician, etc.) Older adults in our society are in better shape than ever, which allows them to give the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation. When it comes to transplant recipients, they are also living longer than any medical professional may have imagined. Lastly, medical research and technological advancements have made various types of transplants more successful for individuals of all ages. This means that in the future, the number of people eligible for a transplant and the age of those eligible to donate will continue to grow.
Would you like to become a heroic organ, eye and tissue donor? Register here!