The term anatomical gifts refers to organs, tissues, or entire bodies that are donated to medical organizations. Whole bodies are needed for anatomical instruction in medical and dental schools. Many body parts, after suitable preparation, are used for surgical implantation to treat injuries and diseases, and many are needed for medical research. Anatomical gifts thus improve or save people's lives. Many opportunities for anatomical donation are available at no cost to donors or their families.

If you want to be a donor, it is best to make arrangements in advance, and it is important to inform your family about your intention. It is also important to have a backup plan in case for any reason your gift cannot be accepted.

Organ Donation

Anyone age 16 or older can enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry at donatelife.ny.gov/register. There is no upper age limit to registering as an organ donor.  Don’t assume you aren’t healthy enough to donate. Health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, do not prohibit someone from registering as a donor. 

Medical professionals and tests will determine what organs and tissues can be donated at the time of death. The doctors and nurses involved in life-saving care are separate from the medical professionals who perform organ transplants. Only authorized organ and tissue recovery specialists (not doctors or nurses in the hospital) have access to the confidential donor registries. A person’s registration status is only checked at the time of death. 

Enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry is the best place to document your wishes regarding donation. Tell your family what your wishes are regarding organ donation. Making your decision now means they won’t have to make it on your behalf later. Know that major religions support an individual’s choice to be an organ donor and final burial wishes can be honored after donation. 

How to Register as an Organ Donor

There are several ways to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry. Regardless of which method you choose, the information is sent to the state’s organ, eye and tissue donor registry database. Signing the back of your license is not enough to ensure your wishes are known. 

  • Online: New York State residents can sign up to be organ, eye and tissue donors at donatelife.ny.gov. Registering only takes a few minutes. 

  • DMV: Check the “New York State Organ and Tissue Donation” box when applying for, or renewing, a Learner’s Permit, Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s ID. 

  • Voter Registration Form: Check the “New York State Organ and Tissue Donation” box on the voter registration form. 

  • New York State of Health – Health Insurance Exchange: Residents applying for or renewing health insurance benefits through the state have the opportunity to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. 

  • Don’t reside in New York? Go to www.organdonor.gov to find out how to register as a donor in your state. 

Learn more about organ donation on the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network website.

Body Donation

A person who wants to donate his or her body to a medical institution or tissue bank should make arrangements with the chosen organization. The receiving organization should be called at the time of death. Some anatomical gift programs provide transportation of eligible bodies at no cost to donors’ families, but free transportation to a medical school is not available in the southern Finger Lakes area. A family must employ a funeral director for this function. The cost varies from one funeral home to another. If cost is a concern, then consult several funeral homes when making plans for body donation. See our Funeral Price Survey to compare price structures at different funeral homes.

Most people can qualify as donors. Although a donor must be at least 18 years old, there is no upper age limit and few medical conditions disqualify a body. A donation may be refused if an autopsy has been performed or if the donor is exceptionally obese or had a communicable disease that could pose a safety hazard to people working with the body. If you want to be a donor, make arrangements with the receiving organization, inform your family, of your intention, and explain what they should do at the time of your death.

Medical Schools Serving the Finger Lakes Region of New York State

SUNY Upstate Medical University
Anatomical Gift Program
Dept. of Cell & Developmental Biology
766 Irving Avenue, Rm. 1133
Syracuse, NY 13210
Tel. (315) 464-4348

University of Rochester Medical Center
Anatomical Gift Program
601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 603
Rochester, NY 14642
Tel. (585) 275-2592

Two organ and tissue procurement organizations that operate nationally are: