About LifeSharers

2. About LifeSharers • If you or a loved one ever need an organ for a transplant, you’ll probably die before you get one. • You can improve your odds by joining LifeSharers. Membership is free. • LifeSharers is a non-profit voluntary network of organ donors. Members agree to donate their organs when they die. www.lifesharers.org

3. About LifeSharers • Members give fellow members first access to their organs. Non-members can have them if no member who is a suitable match wants them. • As a member, you will have access to organs that otherwise may not be available to you. • Every time somebody joins LifeSharers, the chance you will die waiting for an organ goes down. www.lifesharers.org

4. Why You Should Join LifeSharers • Over 6,500 people died in 2012 while on the waiting list for an organ – one every 80 minutes. • Over 123,000 people are on the waiting list. Over 50,000 more will join the list this year – one every 10 minutes. The list is growing 5 times as fast as the rate of organ donation. • Over 50% of the people on the transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. • LifeSharers can improve your odds. www.lifesharers.org

5. How LifeSharers Works • LifeSharers members give fellow members preferred access to their organs. • If an organ from a recently deceased LifeSharers member becomes available, it must be offered to LifeSharers members first. • If no LifeSharers member needs the organ, or if no LifeSharers member is a suitable match for it, then the organ can be offered to non-members. www.lifesharers.org

6. How LifeSharers Works • LifeSharers does not match organs and recipients. The United Network for Organ Sharing does this. • LifeSharers does not interfere with the rules UNOS uses to rank organ recipients. Our members only ask that their donation be directed to the highest-ranking member on the UNOS waiting list. www.lifesharers.org

7. How LifeSharers Works • Members notify LifeSharers when they join the UNOS waiting list, and LifeSharers maintains a list of these members. • Relatives of deceased members call LifeSharers for names of members eligible to receive their loved one’s organs, and they give these names to transplant personnel. • Members’ wishes to donate to fellow members are also shown on their LifeSharers donor card and durable power of attorney for health care. www.lifesharers.org

8. What You Get When You Join • Donor card • Letter to send to doctors • Letter to send to family members • Language to insert into your durable power of attorney for health care www.lifesharers.org

9. What You Get When You Join • Preferred access to the organs of other LifeSharers members www.lifesharers.org

10. Frequently Asked Questions Q – Why should organ donors get preferred access? A – Because if donors get preferred access, more people will become donors. This will save lives. A – Because it corrects an inequity in the distribution system – people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs get about 50% of the organs that become available. www.lifesharers.org

11. Frequently Asked Questions Q – If I’m already an organ donor, can I join LifeSharers? A – Yes. You won’t get preferred access unless you do. www.lifesharers.org

12. Frequently Asked Questions Q – Will joining LifeSharers prevent me from getting an organ from a non-member? A – No. www.lifesharers.org

13. Frequently Asked Questions Q – Can children join LifeSharers? A – Children under age 18 can be enrolled by their parent or legal guardian. www.lifesharers.org

14. Frequently Asked Questions Q – Do pre-existing medical conditions bar anyone from joining LifeSharers? A – No. Everybody who is willing to donate is welcome to join LifeSharers. www.lifesharers.org

15. Frequently Asked Questions Q – How do you stop people from joining only after they know they need an organ? A – There is a 180-day waiting period before a member gets preferred access. This encourages people to join LifeSharers while they’re still healthy. www.lifesharers.org

16. Frequently Asked Questions Q – Is LifeSharers legal? A – Yes. Directed donation is legal in all 50 states and under federal law. www.lifesharers.org

17. Frequently Asked Questions Q – How many members does LifeSharers have? A – 15,612 as of Septebmer 30, 2014. Our network was launched on May 22, 2002. www.lifesharers.org

18. Frequently Asked Questions Q – If I join LifeSharers, can I still donate my organs to a family member? A – Yes. LifeSharers members specifically reserve this right. www.lifesharers.org

19. Frequently Asked Questions Q – How much does it cost to join LifeSharers? A – Nothing. Membership is free. www.lifesharers.org

20. Frequently Asked Questions Q – Are contributions to LifeSharers tax-deductible? A – LifeSharers is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to LifeSharers are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. www.lifesharers.org

21. Frequently Asked Questions Q – How do I sign up? A – Go to www.lifesharers.org or fill out the member enrollment form on our brochure and mail it to us. www.lifesharers.org

22. LifeSharers • Our mission – to end the shortage of donated human organs for transplant operations • Our plan – we provide an incentive to donate, by directing the donation of our organs to others who have promised to donate theirs • Our promise – the next life you save may be your own, or someone dear to you www.lifesharers.org

23. For More Information • Internet – www.lifesharers.org • Email – info@lifesharers.org • Phone – 1-888-ORGAN88 www.lifesharers.org