Healthcare Professional: Frequently Asked Questions

How does LifeLegacy Foundation describe itself to researchers?

LifeLegacy is a non-profit foundation committed to the ethical recovery and placement of non-transplantable human organs and tissues for the purpose of advancing medical research and education. Through informed consent, donors and their families are made aware of the procurement process and of the benefits to the medical community of their donations. LifeLegacy is recognized for both its ability to recover human organs and other tissues within a short amount of time, thus providing viable tissues, and to customize surgical recovery protocols to meet researchers’ needs.

How does LifeLegacy differ from the other research tissue banks?

  • LifeLegacy is the first 501(c)(3) non-profit research tissue bank to be accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). We participate on several AATB committees, including Bylaws, Ethics and Government Affairs committees.
  • Many of our staff are Certified Tissue Bank Specialists (CTBS), certified by AATB.
  • To ensure the highest possible level of safety for our clients, LifeLegacy’s Medical Director reviews all of the donor cases including donor consent, donor medical and social history and serology results prior to release of tissue for distribution.
  • Tissues are surgically recovered per clients’ specific requests and protocols.
  • LifeLegacy provides a Tissue Escorting Service to Researchers allowing custody of the tissue to remain with LifeLegacy.
  • We accept all tissue back from clients for final disposition.
  • Our high level of service includes follow up on the delivery and quality of all tissue.

What are LifeLegacy’s accreditations, qualifications and memberships?

501(c)(3) non-profit, American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited, qualified Organ Procurement Agency for Research under the Arizona Anatomical Gift Act, licensed and inspected by New York State Department of Health, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona.

Why should my patients consider anatomical donation?

Their anatomical donation can help people live longer, healthier lives – lives filled with memories, independence, and opportunities.  Through whole body donation, your patients are supporting research on diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson’s, heart and neurological conditions. In addition, their anatomical gift contributes to the development of life saving drugs, creation of new surgical implant devices, and the education of the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Who is eligible to donate?

Anatomical donation for medical research and education can be an option even when transplantation is not. Donors must be at least 18 years of age and those with specific diseases such as cancer, emphysema, or heart disease can be a donor. While factors related to age, disease, or state of health do not eliminate an individual from being a donor, they may affect the type of tissues that be can be used. For the protection and safety of the recovery staff and the medical community we are not able to accept donors with HIV, hepatitis B and C, or active tuberculosis.

The final decision on donation acceptance can only be made based on the potential donor’s physical state of health at the time of death.

How does the donation process work?

Donation normally takes place within 24 hours of death.  The donation process includes:

  • No costs associated with anatomical donation.
  • Transportation of the donor from anywhere in the continental U.S.
  • Filing of a legally required original death certificate.
  • Family assistance through the aftercare process
  • A summary packet for the family, outlining the benefits of their loved one’s gift.

Cremated remains are returned to the family within 4-6 weeks of donation.  We treat all our donors and donor families with the utmost care, dignity and respect.

Why should  my patients choose LifeLegacy?

LifeLegacy Foundation was established in 1997 as the only federally approved 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks. Our commitment to the highest level of ethical and quality standards affirms our integrity and commitment to do what is best for our donors, donors’ families, our clients and the community.  We set the industry standard that our donor families have come to trust, and only place donations with approved, and well-respected academic, corporate, government research and education institutions around the world.

Where should I refer my patients too for more information on how to become a donor?

Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist families throughout the donation process.  Please call us at 888-774-4438 toll free or 520-575-5200 for more information.