FLORIDA'S REGISTRY: HOW IT WORKS
You may have some questions about the Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. Following are some frequently asked questions and answers to assist you as you visit our Web site.
How do I join the Registry?
How does the donation process work with the Registry?
How was the Registry created?
How will my family be informed of my decision?
How will you verify my identity when I join the Registry?
Should I be concerned about submitting my personal information to this Registry?
What happens if my personal information changes?
What if I change my mind after I join the Registry?
What if I forget my password or registration ID?
What is the Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry?
Why do we need a Registry?
What if someone else has the same name I have? Will you be able to tell us apart?
How do I join the Registry?
You can sign up by clicking here and following the instructions to complete your registration. -top-
How does the donation process work with the Registry?
All hospitals are required to contact their designated organ procurement organization (OPO) when they identify a potential organ, tissue and eye donor, (an individual who has died in their hospital). The OPO checks the Registry to see if the individual registered to be an organ, tissue and/or eye donor. If the individual had registered to be a donor, this information is shared with the family, and they will be consulted about the donor’s medical and social history. The OPO also evaluates the medical suitability of the donor, manages the medical care of the donor until organ and tissue recovery can take place, and consults the national database to match the donor and patients in need of life-saving transplants based on specific medical criteria, such as blood and tissue type. Finally, the OPO coordinates the transportation of the life-saving gifts with the surgeons who will perform the recovery operation and subsequent transplants. -top-
How was the Registry created?
Legislation was passed in 2008 that allowed Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration to contract with a vendor to create a new organ, tissue and eye donor registry. Donate Life Florida was selected as the vendor. -top-
How will my family be informed of my decision?
You will have the option of sending an e-mail notification to your family members while you are completing the Registry sign-up. The procurement specialist at the hospital also will notify your family in the event of your death of your enrollment on the Registry. We strongly encourage you to talk to your family about your decision, so they can be prepared to provide information about your medical and social history. Your family will be supported throughout this entire process. -top-
How will you verify my identity when I join the Registry?
We will send you an e-mail confirmation to the address that you provide. Only one e-mail address will be permitted for each registrant. -top-
Should I be concerned about submitting personal information to this Registry?
All information submitted will be used only for official Registry business and will be kept completely secure and confidential. The information will be accessible as “read only” to authorized organ, tissue and eye recovery personnel. We will not share, sell or otherwise compromise this information. -top-
What happens if my personal information changes?
Your personal information, such as your address or married name, can be changed at any time by accessing your registry sign-up with your login and password. -top-
What if I change my mind after I sign up for the Registry?
You will be able to remove your name from the Registry at this Web site with your log-in and password. -top-
What if I forget my password or registration id?
Go to the “Forgot your password/ID” page, and your password can be retrieved by following the directions. -top-
What is the Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry?
This online Registry allows Floridians to register their consent to donate specific or all organs, tissues and eyes upon their death. -top-
If you are 17 years old or younger, you can join the Joshua Abbott Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, but your parents or legal guardian will make the final decision about organ, tissue and eye donation at the appropriate time. You should tell your parents or legal guardian your decision to sign up on the registry. -top-
Why do we need a Registry?
Prior to the establishment of state donor registries, the responsibility for giving consent for donation fell solely on the donor's family. Unfortunately, family members were not always aware of their loved one's wishes regarding donation. This Registry will eliminate any doubt a family member may have about your decision to DONATE LIFE. Your family will be provided a copy of your Registry sign-up at the hospital so that your life-saving decision can be fulfilled. -top-
What if someone else has the same name I have? Will you be able to tell us apart?
Each person will be asked to provide unique personal identifiers when they submit their Registry sign-up, and those will be used to confirm your identification. -top-
Return to Registry to sign-up