Please help us save lives by joining the Wisconsin Donor Registry!

Having your name included in the Registry means that you have authorized the gift of your organs, tissues, and eyes upon your death. Registering indicates legal consent for donation. This decision can save and improve lives through transplantation, therapy, research and education. Sign up today!

The need for organ, tissue, and eye donors is great. Nearly 106,000 people are listed on the national waiting list for organ transplants, and the list grows by 100 new names each day. In Wisconsin, over 1,500 people are included on the organ transplant waiting list. Sadly,18 people die each day in this country because of a shortage of organ donations.

This DHS program works with other state and federal agencies, organ and tissue procurement organizations, and related groups to inform the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Together, this partnership works on events and initiatives designed to increase public awareness and understanding of donation and ultimately allow more people to receive the gift of life.

• Calendar of Events / Observances

Capital City 5K Run/Walk for Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation 

On Saturday, July 28, 2012, join your fellow road racers for the second annual Capital City 5K Run/Walk in Madison to raise awareness for organ, tissue and eye donation. The twilight event will start at 6:30 pm at the Capitol Square, take a scenic route along the Capital City Lakeshore Path, and end at Goodman Pool, where runners, walkers and their families will enjoy a private pool party and awards presentation.

The Capital City 5K is presented by the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin and Donate Life Wisconsin to promote awareness of organ donation and Wisconsin’s online Donor Registry .  Registration materials will be posted once available.  

Helpful links for more information

All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

• Yes, I will Wisconsin

  • Educational Materials about Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation

• Donate Life Wisconsin

• Donate Life America

  • Done Vida - Información en español sobre la donación de órganos (Information in Spanish about donating organs and tissue)

• University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics - Organ Procurement Organization, the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization serving 59 counties in Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin Donor Network - Federally-designated Organ Procurement Organization serving 10 counties in Southeastern Wisconsin.
• August 1 is National Minority Donor Awareness Day
• US Department of Health & Human Services - organ donation site.
  • United Network for Organ Sharing
  • The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
• Gift of a Lifetime: Organ and Tissue Transplantation in America - An in-depth web documentary of the miracle of organ and tissue transplantation.

View data regarding statewide donor intent

When applicants for a Wisconsin driver's license or state identification card come into a Department of Transportation Service Center (exit DHS), they are asked if they wish to be recorded as organ and tissue donors. The Department of Health Services uses this data to maintain the Donor Intent Query System.  This system allows users to access information that provides statewide and regional data on donation responses for public education and awareness efforts.

• Wisconsin map, showing county donor intent rates (PDF, 294 KB)

Forms for organ, tissue and eye recovery organizations

• Wisconsin Donor Registry Recovery Organization User Access Request (PDF, 20 KB)

• Wisconsin Document of Anatomical Gift Authorization for Organ and Tissue Donation Form (PDF, 48 KB)

  • English (PDF, 99 KB)

  • Spanish (PDF, 326 KB)

• Wisconsin Organ Recovery Assessment Form (PDF, 143 KB)

• Wisconsin Tissue Recovery Assessment Form (PDF, 113 KB)

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Last Updated: February 01, 2012