MEMBERS
Organ Donation and the LGBTQ+ Community
A Message of Hope
A person’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression does not prevent them from becoming an organ and tissue donor (after death or while living for that matter). Everyone can register their decision to become a donor!
The HOPE Act, implemented in November 2015, allowed for research into transplanting organs from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients. Although infections such as HIV or hepatitis C are not exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community, the HOPE Act allows for the possibility of lifesaving organ donation to take place while other routes of donation may defer LGBTQ+ people. Eight years since its implementation, the HOPE Act has given more than 350 people living with HIV a lifesaving transplant—mostly kidney donation.
Any person’s donation registration is valid. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) matches available organs with people on the waiting list based on a number of criteria. Sexual orientation or gender identity are never deterring factors. However, criteria does include:
- Blood type
- Body size
- How sick they are
- Donor distance
- Tissue type
- Time on waiting list
Michael Learned, a kidney recipient, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a young child. Consequently, his physical health took a toll and landed him on the transplant list in August 2014. In April 2015, he received a call informing him of a match, and the transplant surgery was performed a few days later. While recovering from his surgery, he longed to meet the family of his donor and thank them for the blessing their son, Jordyn Avelar, had bestowed on him.
After a few years of back-and-forth communication, Michael and his husband, Matthew, got an opportunity to meet his donor family. Peter and Tani Avelar, Jordyn Avelar’s dad and stepmom, found comfort in knowing their son blessed Learned’s life. Avelar blessed many more. Through the gift of organ donation, he saved the lives of three people and restored sight to two others. Additionally, his tissue donations healed more than 90 people.
The Donate Life Community
Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) is the only federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organization serving Arizona. Our passionate, positive, and eager employees make the most of the gift of organ and tissue donation. Our mission of saving lives takes on many forms. DNA is a key member of the Donate Life community, which falls under Donate Life America.
Our goal here at DNA is simple: Save and heal lives. How do we accomplish this goal? It’s a team effort! Our passionate employees and volunteers help save hundreds of Arizonan lives every year. Our employees, volunteers, and registered donors help us achieve our goal, but what does this look like? DNA employees work around the clock to realize Arizona’s potential to save and improve lives. Every department, from Donor and Family Advocate Services to Human Resources, challenges itself to make the most of the gift of life. Alongside our employees, Donate Life Arizona volunteers are the backbone of our organization. These members are the heroes of public education. Volunteers can be seen all across the state of Arizona at tabling events, parades, and college campuses advocating for organ and tissue donation. Lastly, our champions of saving lives are registered donors and their families. Their selfless decision to share life has saved thousands of lives in Arizona over the years.
Sign Up. Save Lives.
There are thousands of stories that showcase the gift of organ donation, and the lives of so many have been saved. Unfortunately, every 9 minutes, someone is added to the transplant waiting list. In Arizona alone, approximately 2,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant. You can make a difference by registering as an organ and tissue donor. This generous act is a choice—a choice to save lives.
There are no age limits or health limits to hope and generosity. Anyone can register! Members of the LGBTQ+ community can register and celebrate diversity. Join the DonateLifeAZ Registry when you apply for or renew a driver’s license or state ID at an ADOT MVD office. You can also register online today at DonateLifeAZ.org.
