Why should you donate your bodily tissues?

Multiple sclerosis research is limited to human tissue. Because MS affects the brain and spinal cord, experimentation on these tissues can only be carried out after death, when surgery can be performed and brain tissue can be studied. Such studies are designed to increase our understanding of the factors which may play a role in the cause of MS.

How do you donate your bodily tissues?

To donate bodily tissues you need to sign the Organ Donation Permit along with two other people who must witness your signature. You also must complete the Consent Form, Donor Enrollment Information Form and the Authorization to Release and/or Obtain Patient Information Form. The completed forms should be returned to the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center. At that time a Tissue Donation Identification Card will be sent to you identifying you as a donor. Relatives and close friends should know of your donation plans so they are aware of your wishes and the notification procedures.

Procedure to be followed by relatives at time of patient's death

The tissue donation is best if made within four (4) hours after death. Relatives should notify the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center Lab immediately at 303-649-6602. The tissue bank coordinator is on 24-hour call. If the donor is in a critical state, it is beneficial to alert the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center Tissue Bank of this condition. The research procedures are performed in the course of a routine autopsy and will not delay funeral arrangement or disfigure the deceased. The research procedure is done at no cost to the family.

If the donor's residence is not in Colorado, we will contact the local pathologist to perform the autopsy. Our grant will pay a local pathologist for the procedure.

Who else should know about your plans for donation?

Your family physician and/or nursing home administrator should have copies of the donation form. Relatives and close friends should also be notified.

How will transportation of the donor be handled?

The Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center Tissue Bank will arrange and pay for the transportation of the tissue donor to the nearest hospital, where a local pathologist will acquire the tissue. The MS Center will then arrange and pay for the transportation of the deceased to the funeral home of choice.

What if one has already willed one's body for transplantation?

Since a virus may cause MS, we do not recommend that eyes, kidneys, or other organs be donated for transplantation.

Legal Advice

It is not necessary to have legal counsel in preparing these organ donation forms. However, different states vary with regard to their donation protocols. If you live outside Colorado, you may want to review with your physician state regulations regarding tissue donations to ensure your wishes are complied with. If you wish to contact the Center, we can help you to secure this information. 

Forms:

1. Consent Form
2. Tissue Donation Permit
3. Donor Enrollment Information Form
4. Authorization to Release and/or Obtain Patient Information Form

*Note: All four forms must be completed to enroll as a tissue donor.

Please send all completed forms to the Rocky Mountain MS Center:

Rocky Mountain MS Center
Attn: Tissue Bank
8845 Wagner Street
Westminster, CO 80031

If you have any questions, please contact the Rocky Mountain MS Center Tissue bank at 303-788-4030 x111. Thank you for your interest!