What does is mean to be an organ donor? An organ or tissue transplant is a medical procedure in which an organ is removed from one body and placed in the body of a recipient. Such surgery may be either lifesaving, as in the case of liver transplantation, or life prolonging, as with kidney transplantation.
Which organs can be transplanted? Your heart, liver and pancreas can save three lives and your kidneys and lungs can help up to four people. You can save seven lives.
Which tissues can be transplanted? You can help up to 50 people by donating your corneas, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves.
Who can be a donor? Any person who is in good health and is clear of defined chronic diseases that might adversely affect the recipient will be considered as a possible donor.
How do I become a donor? The process is straightforward. Register online or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s toll free line on 0800 22 66 11. The organisation will then send you a small organ donor card to fill in and carry in your wallet. It is very important to discuss the decision with your family. Let them know that you want to donate your organs/tissue after death. Ask them to honour your wish when you die.
Can I be a donor if I have an existing medical condition? Having a medical condition does not necessarily prevent someone from becoming a donor. The decision about which organs/tissue will be transplanted will be established at time of death.
Do I need medical tests to register as a donor? No. Medical tests will only be carried out at the time of death. This will involve medical professionals evaluating your medical and social history, carrying out blood and culture tests and conducting a physical examination. This is done to ensure the organs and tissue is suitable for donation.
What is the difference between organ and tissue donation? An organ transplant takes place after an individual has been declared brain dead but is still being supported on a respirator, whereas tissue retrieval can still take place several hours and even days after death. Another difference is that the recipient will receive the donated organ shortly after retrieval, whilst tissue is usually stored in a special Tissue Bank and is therefore available for use as and when needed.
Can I agree to donate only some organs or tissue and not others? Yes. Please inform your family which organs/tissue you do not wish to donate.
How soon after death should the organs/tissue be removed? It is essential that organs are removed as soon as possible after brain death has been declared in order to ensure successful transplantation. Legislation requires brain death to be certified by two independent doctors. In the case of tissue, a donation can take place up to a few days after death. Some people die at work or on the roads and never make it to the hospital. In such instances an organ donation would not be possible, however, a tissue donation, which is equally needed and valuable, can be successfully carried out.
Will I know who receives my loved one’s organs/tissue? For privacy and legislative reasons, donors and recipients are not identified.
Are tissue transplants common? Bone tissue transplants are the second most common transplant performed on patients, second only to blood transfusions. Many thousands of patients receive allograft tissue every year, most of which comes from non-living donors whose loved ones consented to donation.
Is there any cost involved in signing up as an organ/tissue donor? No, it costs nothing to sign up as an organ/tissue donor.
Does my family pay for the cost of donation? No, the donor and their family will not incur any costs. The hospital or Tissue Bank will cover all medical expenses from the moment your family has given consent for the donation of organs/tissue.
Would my family receive compensation for donating my organs/tissue? No, the donation is a gift.
Can people buy or sell organs and tissue? No, donation is a Gift of Life from one family to another. Trading in organs and tissue is illegal and prohibited.
Can a donation be made while I am alive? Yes, in some cases. Live donations, such as a kidney are often done between family members, because the blood groups and tissue types are more compatible. This ensures a higher success rate.
How do doctors know the donor is really dead? Two doctors, who are completely independent of the transplant team, have to perform detailed tests before a person can be declared brain dead. The criteria for brain death is very strictly adhered to and accepted medically, legally and ethically in South Africa and internationally.
Does being a donor delay the funeral? No. As soon as the donated organs/tissue has been removed, the body is returned to the family to bury or cremate.
Does organ/tissue donation leave the donor disfigured? No. The utmost respect and dignity is given to the donor at all times. The recovery of organs and tissue is carried out with great care by surgeons and trained staff and the process does not change the way the body looks.
Are there religious objections to transplantation? Most religions support organ and tissue donation as it is consistent with life preservation. If you are unsure, you should talk to your spiritual leader.
Can I change my mind? Yes. You can change your mind at any time. Simply tear up your organ donor card and remove the sticker from your ID document and driver’s licence. Please inform your family that you no longer wish to be an organ/tissue donor.
What steps does your family need to take to ensure your wishes are carried out? Speak to the medical professional attending to your loved one – physician, ICU & trauma unit nurse, neurologist, etc. Inform them of your loved ones wishes. Ask for contact details of the closest transplant centre or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s Toll Free Line 0800 22 66 11 for assistance or visit www.odf.org.za
