Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I still donate my organs to a member of my family if I join LifeSharers?
A. Yes.  The LifeSharers membership agreement specifically states that you retain your right to donate your organs to a member of your family.

Q. If I join LifeSharers, do my family members get preferred access to the organs of other LifeSharers members?
A. No.  Your family members must join LifeSharers to get preferred access to the organs of other members.

Q. Can children join LifeSharers?
A. Adult members can enrol their minor children by logging into the Member Services page and following instructions there.

Q. I have already checked the organ donor box on my drivers license. Why should I join LifeSharers?
A. You have 'indicated' that you want to donate your organs when you die. The drivers licence 'indication' is not legally binding, therefore others can overturn your wish. Your driving licence is not checked for donor status in the event of your death. By joining LifeSharers you take an additional step -- you state that you want to donate your organs to other registered organ donors.  You also increase your chances of getting a transplant if you ever need one, because you'll get first access to the organs of other LifeSharers members.

Q. Is anyone barred from joining LifeSharers due to any pre-existing medical condition?
A. No.

Q. Why are people who don't have organs that are suitable for transplantation allowed to join LifeSharers?
A. No one knows today whose organs will be transplantable in the future.  Surgeons are now routinely transplanting lots of organs they would have rejected just a few years ago.  As the organ shortage continues to grow, many organs that would be rejected today will likely be accepted in the future.  So anyone who is 'willing' to donate their organs when they die is welcome to join LifeSharers.

Q. Is there an age limit for organ donation?
A. No.  Organs have been transplanted from people in their  80's.  No one is too old to offer to donate their organs.

Q. Does joining LifeSharers commit me to donating tissue or to donating my body?
A. No.

Q. Will joining LifeSharers prevent me from getting an organ from a non-member?
A. No.

Q. Why should LifeSharers members get first access to the organs of fellow members?
A. As long as there is a shortage of organs, it's not fair to give organs to non-donors when there are donors who need them.  Many people who have not agreed to donate their organs when they die get on the waiting list with the same priority as people who have agreed to donate their organs. LifeSharers helps make sure that organ donors are treated fairly.  More importantly, LifeSharers encourages more people to become donors.  More donors means fewer people will die waiting for organs.

Q. Is it fair to move people up the waiting list just because they've agreed to be donors?
A: Yes.  In fact, recipients from live donors are already moved up the waiting list. LifeSharers just does the same thing for people who agree now to donate when they die.  When evaluating fairness, it's also important to consider the wishes of donors.  If you agree to donate your organs when you die, and if you want them to be offered first to others who have agreed to do the same for you, it's not fair to disregard your wishes and give your organs to someone else.

Q. Shouldn't organs go first to the people who need them most and have been waiting longest?
A. Organs should go first to the people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.  This increases the number of organ donors, and that saves lives.  As LifeSharers increases the supply of organs everyone benefits, even non-members.  Besides, it's a myth that organs are now given first to the people who need them most or have been waiting longest.  Many who have been on the waiting list a long time are removed from the list because they're considered too sick to get a transplant.

Q. Shouldn't organs be allocated based on medical considerations, not personal characteristics?
A. Non-medical considerations and personal characteristics already play a role in the organ allocation system.  Examples include time spent on the waiting list and alcoholics/substance abusers are less likely to be considered for a liver transplant over others.  You may be aware of the recent case of the mother being refused the opportunity of saving her daughter's life by being 'too young/ not mature enough.' (click here to read the newspaper story.) By also using donor status in allocating organs, LifeSharers increases the number of donors and saves lives.  LifeSharers respects the medical considerations that are used to allocate organs.  We ask only that those considerations be applied first to organ donors.  This is already being done for live organ donors.  LifeSharers helps make sure it's also done for people who promise to donate when they die.

Q. Don't LifeSharers members accept organs from everyone but preferentially restrict their donation to fellow members?
A. LifeSharers members will give their organs to anyone, and they'll give them first to anyone who is willing to do the same for them.  Non-members can have members' organs if no fellow member who needs them is a suitable match.  The last thing we want is for our organs to go to waste.  By increasing the supply of organs LifeSharers benefits everyone, even non-members. 

Q. Doesn't LifeSharers create a class of people that gets special consideration in organ allocation?
A. Yes, that is exactly what LifeSharers does.  It's a class that everyone in New Zealand can join, and there is no cost to join.  We welcome everyone, and we turn no one away.  Organ donors deserve special consideration in organ allocation because without organ donors there would be no organs to allocate.  The special consideration LifeSharers members get is given voluntarily (and legally) by other members, and it is given in exchange for a reciprocal promise.  Anyone who wants to share in this special consideration is welcome to do so.  Membership is free here.

Q. Isn't LifeSharers like agreeing to give organs to a class of people, such as a particular gender, religion, or ethic group?
A. No, LifeSharers is not like that at all.  LifeSharers does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical handicap, health status, marital status, or economic status.  Giving organs first to white people doesn't create more white people.  Giving organs first to women doesn't create more women.  Giving organs first to Italians doesn't create more Italians.  But giving organs first to organ donors creates more organ donors, and that saves lives.

Q. Some people can't donate their organs, so doesn't LifeSharers discriminate against them?
A. No.  Everyone who is 'willing' to donate is welcome to join LifeSharers, whether or not they think doctors will want to use their organs.

Q. Is there a waiting period before a LifeSharers member can get first access to the organs of other LifeSharers members?
A. Yes.  LifeSharers members do not qualify for first access to organs from other LifeSharers members until they have been a member for 180 days.  This waiting period encourages people to join while they're still healthy.  It discourages people from waiting to join only when they find out they need an organ.

Q. How does LifeSharers match organs and recipients?
A. LifeSharers does not match organs and recipients.  This process is managed by the relevant medical services.  LifeSharers does not interfere with this process.  Our members just direct that each of their organs goes to the highest ranking qualified LifeSharers member on the transplant waiting list.  Family members of deceased LifeSharers members can get names of other LifeSharers members on the waiting list by telephoning LifeSharers at (03) 338 5678.  For more details, click here.

Q. If I am a LifeSharers member and I die, how does LifeSharers make sure that LifeSharers members get first access to my organs?
A. We rely on your family to make sure that transplant personnel honour your intention to direct your donation first to LifeSharers members.  You should tell your next of kin and your doctors about your LifeSharers membership.  You should also carry your LifeSharers donor card, and mention your LifeSharers membership in your power of attorney. Both of these documents instruct your family to telephone LifeSharers for names of members who need your organs and to tell transplant personnel that you want to donate to those individuals.  These documents state your intention clearly:  "It is my express wish that my organs be donated first to members of the LifeSharers network, unless no LifeSharers member is a suitable match.  For each organ of my body donated, I designate as donee that LifeSharers member who is the most suitable match as defined by the criteria in use by LifeSharers at the time of my death."  This means each organ from a LifeSharers member should be offered first to the highest ranking qualified LifeSharers member on the transplant waiting list.  For more details on how this works, click here.

Q. Will transplant personnel honour the wishes of LifeSharers members to donate their organs first to other members?
A. Overriding the legal directions of an organ donor could create legal liability and lots of unfavourable publicity.  As New Zealand has the lowest rate of organ donors in the Western World, throwing away perfectly good organs just because 'some' medical staff do not agree with our philosophy would not be a good look! Your organs belong to you, not the doctors, not the bureaucrats at the Ministry of Health, not the government, but you! The entire transplant system relies on the good will of organ donors, so transplant personnel have every reason to honour the legitimate wishes of organ donors and no reason not to.  If transplant personnel try to talk your family members out of directing your donation to other LifeSharers members, then your family should insist that your wishes be carried out.  Your family should also call LifeSharers for assistance at (03) 338 5678.

Q. Does LifeSharers maintain a waiting list of members needing organs?
A. The relevant medical services maintain the national waiting list.  We maintain a list of LifeSharers members who are on the national waiting list.  If you are on the waiting list for an organ, let us know by sending an email to info@lifesharers.org.nz.  You should also tell your doctors that you are a LifeSharers member, and ask them to make sure their records include this information.

Q. Can I cancel my LifeSharers membership?
A. Yes.  You can cancel your membership at any time via the LifeSharers web site or by sending an email to info@lifesharers.org.nz.

Q. Is LifeSharers accessible to people without internet access?
A. Yes.  Anyone can join LifeSharers by filling out an enrolment form and mailing it to us.  Call or write to us here for enrolment forms, or download them here.

Q. How is LifeSharers funded?
A. We rely completely on contributions from members (and others) to fund our operations. LifeSharers may also occasionally apply for grants from charitable foundations.  If you know of an appropriate potential grant source, please email us at info@lifesharers.org.nz.

Q. How can I change the email address where I receive the occasional LifeSharers newsletter?
A. You can do that here.  Or you can email us at info@lifesharers.org.nz.

Read what experts say about giving organs first to organ donors.