Overview
Organ donation is the removal of healthy tissues and organs of the human body from an individual. This person or donor can be those who have recently died or are still living. The purpose of donating a healthy organ is for transplantation to people who are in need of certain body part for life to be possible. Organs or tissues are removed via a surgical procedure.
Any people from all ages may be organ or tissue donors. When a person dies, organ, tissue or eye recovery agencies will then determine which organs or tissues are suitable for transplantation basing on the person’s medical and social history. Aside from that, organ donation is only possible if the person (the one who recently died) signed a consent that allows the agency to remove his or her body organs and tissue at the time of his death.
Which organ can an individual donate?
People who are LIVING can donate a kidney or A PART of THE:
- Lung
- Liver
- Intestine
- Pancreas
Tissues that can be donated are:
- Cornea (coating of the eyeball)
- Middle ear
- Skin
- Heart valves
- Bone
- Veins
- Cartilage
- Tendons
- Ligaments
Organs of the body that can transplanted after death:
- Kidneys
- Heart
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Intestines
- Lungs
- Skin
- Bone marrow
- Cornea
When do organ donations occur?
Most organ and tissue donations occur after the donor has died. But some organs and tissues can be donated while the donor is alive.
Who can donate an organ?
Individual of all ages and background can be organ donors. Newborns as well as senior citizens have been organ donors. However, if the person is under 18 years of age, his or her parent or guardian must give permission for the person to become a donor. In cases where the donor is 18 years old or older, the interest and desire of wanting to be donor is shown by signing a donor card. The family should also be notified by the donor regarding his or her wishes.
Who cannot donate an organ?
People with the following medical conditions do not qualify to become an organ donor:
- HIV
- Actively spreading brain cancer
- Certain severe and current infections
