Registering as a donor at driver’s license, online, or any other platform is making the decision that, “Upon my death, I made the decision to donate my organs, tissues and eyes for transplant, research, education, and therapy. Unless under the age of 18, I understand that my family cannot override my decision.” This decision can save 8 lives through organ donation and 75+ through eye and tissue donation. Through research, education, and medical therapies, you may impact millions. This decision is legally binding and treated with the same significance as a will, if you are over 18. Learn more:
Understanding the Donor Registry: Your Decision Matters – Donate Life KY

Everyone can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor – regardless of age or medical history. The oldest organ donor was 100 years old from Nebraska! Simply click this link to register your decision www.registerme.org. You also go to that link to update your information, share additional details, or provide donor specifications (ie: VCA, brain donation, etc.).

People under the age of 18 can register their intent to be organ, eye and tissue donors. However, until they are 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian makes the final donation decision. You are encouraged to share your decision with family/next of kin. Learn more here.

1. At any point in time, a registered donor can update their personal information or remove themselves from the Donor Registry by going into their personal record. Please note: Removing your name from the registry is a permanent removal. Only the registered donor is allowed to access their account.
   
2. To update or remove your name from the Donor Registry:
3. 1) Go to RegisterMe.org.  
4. 2) Click “Access Registration”
5. 3) Log-in with your information and click “remove”
6. Although your license may still reflect a heart icon, you are not a registered donor. The Registry is the legal authorization, not the driver’s license. Next time you renew your license, you may ask the staff to remove the organ donor icon.
7. **Note: Licensing staff screens do not automatically update when someone removes their name from the Donor Registry. You are removed from the Registry right away.
8. If you have removed your name online, that change is immediate and fully in effect. You are not registered, regardless of what the driver’s license screen or heart icon may show.
9. If you would like the heart icon removed from your license, please tell staff at your next renewal so they can update it manually. We are actively working with the state to improve this process and make it easier for customers.
   
10. OR
    
11. Email, text or call the Donate Life Kentucky staff at info@donatelifeky.org or 1-502-694-3015 (responses during normal business hours)
12. In your message, include your driver’s license number, date of birth, and name. 
13. With your permission, staff can go into your record for you and remove your name. This immediately and permanently removes your name from the Donor Registry.
15. Next time you renew your driver’s license, ask the driver’s license staff to “please remove the organ donor icon from my license”. The driver’s license staff will not know that you have removed your name, as it does not reflect in their system. However, the icon is not authorization for donation. The donor registry is the authorization for donation, and your name has been permanently removed.

Thank you for registering as a donor! That is an incredible, heroic, generous decision!

Please share this with your legal next of kin and those who will be involved at the time of your death.

“I understand that registering as a donor means: I have made the legally binding decision to save & heal lives, if clinically possible, after my death. I have given legal authorization to donate my organs, eyes, and tissues for transplant, research, education and therapy to save & heal others. If I’m able to be an organ donor at the time of my death, I understand I must stay on the ventilator for a limited time to ensure the donation process can be completed. If I’m able to be a donor at the time of my death, I understand that my next-of-kin must answer a series of questions about my medical and social history.”

Now, inspire others:

1. Encourage your loved ones to join you on the Registry via text, email & in person.
2. Be an influencer on social media.  Encourage others to learn more about the importance of donation & register themselves.  Tag us on social media @donatelifekentucky. Check out free outreach resources at Donate Life America.
3. Get involved with Donate Life Kentucky Trust!  Share your story, become a Board Member, Volunteer, host an event encouraging others to help, and deepen your impact by giving a recurring gift to help families in need. Learn more by emailing us at info@donatelifeky.org or calling 1-866-945-5433.