The Glenda Dawson Donate Life - Texas Registry

New online registry replaces donor cards and driver’s license indication

In the past, people have filled out a donor card and indicated their wish to be a donor on their driver’s license. However, if the person’s family opposed the idea, their organs were not donated.

Recently, Texas created an official donor registry online, making the previous donor cards and driver’s license indication obsolete. Signing up on the registry makes the intent to be a donor a legally binding document, so a registration is actually legal consent. Before the registry, a family refusal would override the person’s wishes.

By registering, a person takes the burden off of their family to make such a difficult decision at a difficult time. Southwest Transplant Alliance will always talk to the family before donation, but the new registry allows Southwest Transplant Alliance to have the legal consent from the donor to move forward with the donation.

Currently, more than 7,000 people in Texas are on the waiting list for organ transplant. People who wish to officially register to be a donor in Texas should go to www.donatelifetexas.org or www.donevidatexas.org.

The new online registration takes the place of a donor card or an indication on the driver’s license. Once someone registers, no other person can override their decision. Texans who signed up when this was the Texas Dear Registry will already be in the new registry. They do not need to re-register.

How to register:
1. Department of Public Safety office
Registering at a Department of Public Safety office is the fastest way to officially register because it eliminates the need for a signature card. Once you register at a DPS office, your name is officially active on the registry.

2. Online
Registering online does require a written signature. A signature card is mailed to al lregistrants and can be returned in a self-addressed stamped envelope.

3. Family Conversation
Of course, if you do not want to register online, you still are encouraged to tell your family members of your wish to be a donor, so family members will know to consent if presented with the option of donation.