Donation Process:

Registering to donate brain tissue does not mean that we anticipate you or your child will die an early death. It does mean however, that you are prepared to act if such an unexpected and unfortunate event were to occur.

Once the intention of brain donation has been discussed with family members, everyone understands the commitment and you have made the decision to donate, here are the steps to follow:

1. Register a potential donor: The donor or their legal guardian should fill out the WS Brain Donation Registration Form online or print and submit to:

The Salk Institute
Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience
10010 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037

2. Make preliminary arrangements for brain removal through your physician or a social worker. If the donor is hospitalized and death is an eminent possibility, let the hospital know of the donor’s wishes so they can be prepared.

3. When death is impending, or at the time of death, call at 800.434.1038 and provide the following information:

a. Complete name and age of donor;
b. Current location and phone number of donor
c. Time and cause of death (if known)
d. Name, address, and phone number of legal next-of-kin.

4. Final Documentation: The legal next-of-kin will be required to sign-up Consent for Donation form and Authorization form for brain Donation following the death of the donor, which authorizes the donation of the brain to the University of California, San Diego and the Salk Institute.

We genuinely appreciate your interest and are available to answer any questions that you might have. Please feel free to contact us for any further information related with brain tissue donation.