How can I specify to donate my heart (upon death) to a friend who has heart failure?

I am registered as an organ donor in the state of CA and it's also updated on my drivers license and I also carry the ID card with me in my wallet next to the license. I emailed the registry foundation to ask this question, but they never got back to me.

My question is, I have a friend around the same age who was diagnosed with heart failure a while back. I would like to specify that if I should die, I want my heart to be made available for transplant for my friend FIRST and only then if it's not possible for him to receive it can they offer it to someone else. Do I need to put this in a will or something? Thank you.

You could do your friend more good by motivating others to become donors. Your sentiment is honorable, but the reality is there are a lot more people in need of organs than there are donors. If all of us in this country were donors, most of the people on the lists would not die needlessly waiting for an organ. For more information on how to become an organ donor, please go to the following link:

http://www.organdonor.gov/

go to the DMV and register as a "donor" :]

They never answered you because they are probably still laughing. Your questions is totally rediculous, moron.

You should probably ask if your friend has the same blood type as you before you worry too much about it.

Also, if your friend has a faulty ticker and you have a good one, you will outlive him anyway; unless, of course, you fall under a bus or something.

This option is not available. Transplants and organ harvesting is all about timing. She/He must be getting ready for surgery while at the same time you died or are dying.
The heart can only survive for a short time after it's removed from the body and put on ice.

it'll never make it in time, they only have a few set hours to do this. by the time they're reading your will, someone else'll have it, and heart surgery takes a long amount of time in prep, they need to lower the "receiver's" immune system first, etc. plus you need to be a compatible donor for your friend, too blood type, antibodies,etc. it's a nice sentiment, but "dibs" on your heart isn't gonna work for your friend unless he's about to die that morning, and even then it might not work out, it'll probably go to the best-suited recipient, not just a guy that's your friend.
Sweet of you, though.

You could try getting one of those medical bracelets where they engrave information on the bracel;et. Then give written instructions to your doctor(s) or your friend. Put the contact name(s) and number(s) on the bracelet. Make sure that your wording allows your heart to go to someone else if it doesn't work for your friend, if that is your wish.

not possible....the organ goes to the person with the greatest need...location/proximity is also an issue...you cannot donate your heart to someone like you give a kidney or bone marrow...

This is impossible. You do not even know if you are a match...more goes into this than age and blood types. Sorry.

You'd have to have the same blood type as he and your heart would go to the person who needs it most. There are three levels of illness when it comes to heart transplants. 1A, 1B, and 2. 1A patients need the transplant most, then 1B next, then finally 2. It was a nice thought, but the only way to help your buddy get a transplant is to promote organ donor awareness.