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Brain and Tissue Bank
Research Centers (General)Brain and Tissue BankBrain DonationThe Tissue Donation Process

The Tissue Donation Process

  1. All donors must be confirmed registrants by UMBTB staff for tissue collection. After the staff has reviewed your registration documents and medical records, you will receive a confirmation letter.
  2. After you have received confirmation of registration with UMBTB, please be sure that any medical and/or funeral personnel are aware of your registration and the necessary steps are taken to make donation more favorable. Please note UMBTB does not guarantee a donation. For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions.
  3. UMBTB has a 24-hour viability window to collect tissue. The 24-hour count starts once a donor passes away. Therefore, please keep UMBTB updated on the donor’s health status. Donation outcomes are more favorable when UMBTB has time to set up a tentative donation plan. The ideal time to initiate a donation plan with UMBTB staff is when a medical professional determines the death to be imminent.
    1. When UMBTB is notified that death is imminent, we will work directly with the organization handling the donor’s end-of-life arrangements and our network of donation recovery technicians to set up a tentative donation plan.
  4. At the time of death, please be sure to call (410) 706-1755 so that the UMBTB is aware of the death and can handle all necessary practical arrangements for the tissue recovery within the 24-hr viability window.