How to Become a Donor

You must register to become a donor in our program. We are currently not taking donations from individuals that were not pre-registered by our coordinator.

Registration Process

To register, please either download the Donor Registration Form (PDF) or complete the form online.

Mail: Carroll A. Campbell Neuropathology Lab
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
171 Ashley Avenue MSC 908
Charleston, SC 29425-9080

Fax: 843-792-9447

Email: ccnl@musc.edu

After you register, we will send you a wallet-sized Donor Card and other helpful materials to aid in educating your family about your decision to donate to our research program. 

We have placed a temporary pause on accepting brain donors; however, we are still accepting registration forms. We encourage everyone interested in donating their brain to our program to submit their donor registration form.

Next of Kin Responsibilities

We require the next of kin to give authorized legal consent at the time of donation.

Legal consent allows MUSC to:

• Coordinate body transport.
• Procure tissues and fluids (includes brain, temporal bones, nasal epithelium, eyes, visceral organs, skin and fluids like blood, cerebral spinal fluid, urine, lymph, and eye fluids).
• Perform genetic testing for research purposes.
• Acquire relevant medical records for research purposes.

Death must be declared by a certified nurse or county coroner representative before transport can occur.

Please contact us as soon as possible at 843-792-7867 and choose Option 1.

Our staff will assist the legal Next of Kin in the recorded consent process and in arranging donor transport.

If possible, place a sealed bag of ice under the head (like a pillow). This placement cools the brain and significantly improves research.

MUSC reserves the right to refuse any donation and may consider special requests to preserve the integrity of research studies.