Become a Donor

Help save lives and make your neighbors in the Upper Midwest healthier by donating or registering to donate organs, eyes, tissues or blood.

Organ, Eye & Tissue Donation

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor can save lives or improve the quality of life for up to 50 people. Avera partners with LifeSource and Dakota Lions Sight and Health to provide donation opportunities.

Those willing to be an organ donor should make their wishes known to those closest to them, and say “yes” to organ donation on their driver’s license, state identification card, will or health care directive. You can learn more about organ donation or sign up to be a donor at the United Network For Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Living Kidney Donation

Healthy adults can give the gift of life by donating a kidney to a relative or friend experiencing end-stage kidney disease. Doctors will ensure that you can live a healthy life with one kidney. Kidney patients who receive a kidney from a living donor have increased life expectancy and less risk of complications. Call the Avera Transplant Institute at 866-686-1062 to learn more.

Bone Marrow Donation

For thousands of Americans with severe blood diseases—such as leukemia and lymphoma—a blood and marrow transplant offers the greatest potential for a cure. Give a patient hope by registering to donate bone marrow. Seventy percent of patients must look outside their families for a suitable donor, so your offer of a donation will make a significant difference.

Blood Donation

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Nationwide, 36,000 units of blood are needed every day. Contribute to your community’s well-being by giving blood to the Community Blood Bank in Sioux Falls or other regional sites.