Everyone can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor – regardless of age or medical history. People under the age of 18 can register their intent to be organ, eye and tissue donors. However, until they are 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian makes the final donation decision. You are encouraged to share your decision with family/next of kin. Learn more here.

1. In 2023, the Trust created a Circuit Clerks’ Trust Endowment to honor our founders. Now, our Donate Life Kentucky Scholarship Program allows student advocates who promote the mission of organ, eye, and tissue donation to earn scholarship dollars towards advancing their education.
2. Click to apply for the 2024-2025 Scholarship or learn more by emailing BKaelin@donatelifeky.org.

1. Reach out to Stephanie Grooms to buy Donate Life Kentucky Trust t-shirts and gear!

1. Donate Life is the national brand for the cause of organ, tissue, and eye donation in America. To get the complete brand guidelines, please reach out to Stephanie Grooms.

1. We believe that media has a role as one of the most visible, trusted sources of donation information in the country.
2. As your partner, we are here to provide interviews, statistics, key messages and information to help you tell the stories of organ, eye and tissue donation accurately and completely. 
3. Email our Executive Director, Shelley Snyder or call 1-866-945-5433.
   For additional national media questions, visit Donate Life America’s Media Resources.
   

1. Teachers are incredibly impactful sources of donation information for students prior to obtaining a license and making vital donation decisions.
2. As your partner, we are here to connect you with in-person speakers, videos, statistics, key messages and information to help you tell the stories of organ, eye and tissue donation accurately and completely. 
3. Email info@donatelifeky.org or call 1-866-945-5433 to learn more!
   
4. Want to start an Organ Donation club at your high school or college? Visit our partner’s page at Student Organ Donation Advocates!
   

1. If you wish to share your story with our community and partners, please visit our Stories Page to have your testimony uploaded to our website!

Community outreach is at the apex of all that we do to save lives here in Kentucky.  If you would like to participate in outreach initiatives in your town, sign up as an Ambassador or reach out to Stephanie Grooms to learn more ways to help. 

Outreach ideas include (but are not limited to):

• Church outreach
• Local business outreach
• Social media
• 3^rd party fundraising
• Flag raisings
• Local media interview opportunities
• Proclamations
• Education campaigns

Donate Life Kentucky Trust is the nonprofit sponsor helping to make the Heart of the Motor film available to schools and communities to inspire millions and save lives. The film tells the story of Wyatt Eddy and serves as an educational tool to increase awareness about the lifesaving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. By supporting this project, Donate Life Kentucky Trust continues its mission to provide accurate education and inspire the next generation to consider the gift of donation.

High school teachers across Kentucky are invited to bring Heart of the Motor into their classrooms as a powerful tool for learning and discussion. With sponsorship from Donate Life Kentucky Trust, the film is offered free of charge to Kentucky schools. Teachers who participate agree to administer a short pre- and post-test to students and classroom guide. To request access, teachers can complete our screening request form and receive the film link, discussion guide, and classroom materials.

• LEARN MORE: Heart of the Motor

Why do we offer kidney test strips?
Another powerful way to help end the transplant waiting list is through prevention. When fewer people develop kidney failure, fewer people need a transplant. That’s why outreach, education, and early detection are at the heart of our mission.

Our Kidney Test Strip Program is made possible by Amelia’s Run, a fundraiser inspired by transplant recipient Amelia Wilson and carried on by her husband in her honor. This program helps Kentuckians check their kidney health — one strip at a time.
Learn more here: Kidney Test Strip Program

How to get involved?

• Request test strips to distribute at health fairs, community events, or wellness programs
• Share the message: Talk with family and friends about the importance of early detection and routine kidney health checks
• Host or support education campaigns in churches, civic groups, schools, or local organizations
  

Together, we can help more Kentuckians stay off the waiting list — and live longer, healthier lives. Your support matters.

You can register your decision to be an organ, tissue, and eye donor through your state registry by visiting your local driver’s license office or online at RegisterMeKY.org

Eligibility and Decision-Making:

• Anyone can register, regardless of age or medical history.
• Individuals under 18 can register their wish to donate, but final authorization at the time of death rests with a parent or legal guardian.
• Your registration serves as a legally binding document of gift, eliminating the need for family consent at the time of your passing.
  Everyone can register to be a donor – regardless of age or medical history.

Registration and Updates:

• Easily register online at RegisterMeKY.org. This platform also allows you to update your information or remove yourself from the registry at any time.

Impact of Your Decision:

By joining the registry, you consent to the donation of your organs, tissues, and eyes if medically suitable. This can significantly improve the lives of countless individuals in need. To make specific donation preferences known, visit RegisterMeKY.org

Verification Process:

Upon your death, both the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry and the National Donate Life Registry will be consulted by trained donation professionals to confirm your wishes.

Become a Beacon of Hope

Registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor is a powerful act of generosity that can offer a second chance to those desperately awaiting transplants. Take the initiative today and make a life-altering difference.

Thank you for registering as a donor! That is an incredible, heroic, generous decision!

Please share this with your legal next of kin and those who will be involved at the time of your death.

“I understand that registering as a donor means: I have made the legally binding decision to save & heal lives, if clinically possible, after my death. I have given legal authorization to donate my organs, eyes, and tissues for transplant, research, education and therapy to save & heal others. If I’m able to be an organ donor at the time of my death, I understand I must stay on the ventilator for a limited time to ensure the donation process can be completed. If I’m able to be a donor at the time of my death, I understand that my next-of-kin must answer a series of questions about my medical and social history.”

Now, inspire others:

1. Encourage your loved ones to join you on the Registry via text, email & in person.
2. Be an influencer on social media.  Encourage others to learn more about the importance of donation & register themselves.  Tag us on social media @donatelifekentucky. Check out free outreach resources at Donate Life America.
3. Get involved with Donate Life Kentucky Trust!  Share your story, become a Board Member, Volunteer, host an event encouraging others to help, and deepen your impact by giving a recurring gift to help families in need. Learn more by emailing us at info@donatelifeky.org or calling 1-866-945-5433.

1. At any point in time, a registered donor can update their personal information or remove themselves from the Donor Registry by going into their personal record. Please note: Removing your name from the state registry is a permanent removal. Only the registered donor is allowed to access their account.
   
2. To update or remove your name from the Kentucky Donor Registry:
3. 1) Go to RegisterMeKY.org.  
4. 2) Click “Change Registration”
5. 3) Log-in with your Driver’s License Number and Zip Code of when you first registered.
6. 4) Once in your record, you may edit your information or click “Not a Donor” to update your decision. You are immediately and permanently removed from the Kentucky Donor Registry. Although the license may still reflect a heart icon, you are not a registered donor. The Registry is the legal authorization, not the driver’s license. Next time you renew your license, you may ask the staff to remove the organ donor icon.
7. **Note: Licensing staff screens do not automatically update when someone removes their name from the Donor Registry. You are removed from the Registry right away, but their system may still display the donor symbol because it only sends new donor registrations to the Registry and does not receive updates back when someone removes their name.
8. If you have removed your name online, that change is immediate and fully in effect. You are not registered, regardless of what the driver’s license screen or heart icon may show.
9. If you would like the heart icon removed from your license, please tell staff at your next renewal so they can update it manually. We are actively working with the state to improve this process and make it easier for customers.
   
10. OR
    
11. Email, text or call the Donate Life Kentucky staff at info@donatelifeky.org or 1-502-694-3015 (during normal business hours)
12. In your message, include your driver’s license number, date of birth, and name. 
13. With your permission, staff can go into your record for you and click “Not a Donor”. This immediately and permanently removes your name from the Kentucky Donor Registry.
15. Next time you renew your driver’s license, ask the driver’s license staff to “please remove the organ donor icon from my license”. The driver’s license staff will not know that you have removed your name, as it does not reflect in their system. However, the icon is not authorization for donation. The donor registry is the authorization for donation, and your name has been permanently removed.
16. 
    If you registered on the National Donate Life America Registry, go to RegisterMe.org and follow the instructions provided.