DNR = Do Not Resuscitate when cardiac function ceases. But don’t (some) organs need to be harvested from a body with cardiac activity going on? How do I, or can I, prevent them from turning me into a brain mushed zombie while still best preserving the most organs possible for donation?
The DNR comes into play when there is cardiac or respiratory arrest. Some organs can be harvested after such a death.
There is, however, a significantly higher rate of success for organs harvested from a beating heart cadaver. Some organs are mostly or only harvested that way.
One usually becomes a beating heart cadaver via head trauma. So the DNR and the donation request usually do not interfere with each other. However, if the body needs to be on ventilation to keep the organs oxygenated, they hook it up. Just not for long.
Awesome answer, thank you!