- Advances in medical science have caused organ donation to become a widely accepted and successful tool in improving the qualiy of life for those in need of healthy organs.
- Cardiopulmonary failure (occurs when heart and lung function stops).
- Brain death (loss of all brain function)
Transplants have been performed all over the world since the 1950s.
More than 3000 Canadians receive transplants every year. Over 600 of these people would have lived for only a few more months if an organ/tissue did not become available.
Each day between eight and ten people die awaiting a transplant.
With today's technologies, it is possible to transplant 25 organs and tissues.
One person can donate organs and tissues to as many as ten people.
Anyone between the ages of newborn and 65 (or older for livers) are potential donors for certain organs and tissues.
The University of California estimates that between 10,000 and 14,000 people who pass away each year in the U.S. meet the criteria for organ donation. Only 35% of these cadavers had signed donor cards and out of that group, only half actually donated because family members refused consent.
"Requiring Request" is a policy requiring hospitals to systematicaly and routinely offer a family the opportunity to donate the deceased family member's organs and tissues.
Death can occur in two ways in order for a person to donate their organs or tissues:
