Becoming a living organ donor is selfless act that can help a recipient get an organ transplant faster. Most living donors donate one of their kidneys or a part of their liver. However, despite its life-changing potential, there are several myths surrounding living organ donation. Here, we debunk some of these misconceptions.

Pulling a red wagon is physical therapist Chad Doerneman. Behind the wagon is respiratory therapist Katie Stehlik. She carefully navigates a wheeled ventilator and oxygen tank. And inside the wagon is 3-year-old Genesis Sanchez-Vasquez, wearing a flowered dress and black and hot pink sunglasses.

Braylynn Sallinger was born with gastroschisis. Fourteen years later, she and her mother recall the incredible journey and lifesaving treatments Braylynn received from Nebraska Medicine.

In a matter of weeks, a Norfolk, Nebraska, doctor went from delivering babies to relying on a machine to keep him alive.

Ayden was born with tangled intestines. A year after multi-organ transplant, Ayden is able to live a normal life with his twin brother.

When Joseph was born with an incurable liver disease called biliary atresia, he was very sick. His parents, Jenn and Brent Timperley wanted the most advanced care available.

Ezra’s liver kept getting worse and worse despite medicine helping the other small hemangiomas shrink. He spent his entire life sick.

Read the story of lung transplant recipient, Jake Immink, who has been hospitalized since November 2020.

Consider these reasons to become an organ donor.

"I had a lot of faith. Never did I ask ‘why me," she says. "I always said, ‘Lord, just please give me the strength to keep fighting.'" Two transplants later, she's thankful she never gave up.