If you die in circumstances where you are able to donate, your family will still be asked about organ donation. This is why it is so important to share your choice with your family, whatever you decide – to help make sure your choice is honoured.

If you die in circumstances where you are able to donate, your family will still be asked about organ donation. This is why it is so important to share your choice with your family, whatever you decide – to help make sure your choice is honoured.

Anyone can volunteer to be an organ donor after they die, but in order to actually donate organs, very specific circumstances must occur. The organs have to be perfect matches for the people in need of organs, and families must give permission for donation to happen. This process must happen in a hospital. Because of all this, organ donation is very rare. But the more people who volunteer to be donors, the more likely it can happen. There is no age limit and those with illnesses or long-term conditions can also sign up to be donors. Healthcare professionals decide in each individual case whether a person’s organs or tissues are suitable for donation.
 

Anyone can volunteer to be an organ donor after they die, but in order to actually donate organs, very specific circumstances must occur. The organs have to be perfect matches for the people in need of organs, and families must give permission for donation to happen. This process must happen in a hospital. Because of all this, organ donation is very rare. But the more people who volunteer to be donors, the more likely it can happen. There is no age limit and those with illnesses or long-term conditions can also sign up to be donors. Healthcare professionals decide in each individual case whether a person’s organs or tissues are suitable for donation.
 

Organ donation is giving a solid organ (like a lung) or tissue (like skin) to help someone who needs a transplant.

Organ donation is giving a solid organ (like a lung) or tissue (like skin) to help someone who needs a transplant.