Seven things you need to know about organ donation

All you need to register your decision on deceased organ donation is your Personal Health Number and two minutes!

1. Every efforts will be made to save your life above all else.

Healthcare professionals have a duty to save life wherever possible. They do not know whether their patient has a registered decision on organ donation. That decision is confidential and only accessed by the BC Transplant team after two medical professionals determine a patient has no hope of survival.

2. Age – there are no limits, young or old, to register.

There is no age limit to register your decision on organ donation. The oldest organ donor in B.C. was 79 years old. Register your decision and let the medical specialists decide if donation is possible.

Those under 19 years of age can register themselves, or parents/guardians can register on their behalf, as an expressed wish.

3. Donor health – don't count yourself out.

Medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ donor. Everyone should register their decision on organ donation, regardless of health or age.

4. Faith, beliefs, and culture matter.

Most of the world’s major religions accept organ donation as a life-saving act of giving and compassion that is an individual choice.

5. Who you love doesn’t matter.

Everyone can register to be an organ donor. A person's sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression does not prevent them from becoming an organ donor.

6. My family’s role.

Your family will always be asked for their support for organ donation to go ahead, even if you have a registered decision on file. This is why it’s important to speak with your family and let them know your decision.

When we can show families a copy of their loved one’s organ donor registration form, it provides relief and comfort and helps them support their loved one’s decision to be an organ donor.

After organ donation your family can honour your memory any way they choose. Organ donation does not impact end-of-life arrangements, including an open casket funeral.

7. Living donation is completely different.

Living donation is an entirely different process. This is when you choose to donate an organ or part of an organ to another individual while you are alive.

When you register a decision on organ donation in the Organ Donor Registry, this is only for deceased donation, which is donating an organ to another individual at the time of your death.

The living donor process is separate and unrelated to your decision on deceased organ donation.

Not sure if you have registered? You can check!

Have more questions? Send us an email.

Provincial Health Services Authority