Organ donation: take 2 minutes to save up to 9 lives

organ donation

Few decisions take only a couple of minutes yet have the potential to make such a profound difference to other people. Organ donation is one of them.

For someone waiting for a transplant, a donated organ can mean more than another medical procedure. It can mean more time with family, the opportunity to return to work or education, or simply the chance to experience everyday life again.

Organ donation is a huge gift, either during life or after death. In just 2 minutes, you could save 9 lives! Just register online to ensure your wishes are carried out (and let your family know of your wishes).

Also read how to give blood, plasma and bone marrow

Living donors (kidney and liver)

You can donate kidneys and liver while still alive (people can live on one kidney and livers grow back). There are slight risks of high blood pressure, fatigue and pain for donating kidneys, visit the NHS living donor page to learn more.

It also has information on donating liver tissue and bone and amniotic membrane tissue (for babies delivered by elective caesarian section at a partner hospital.

Placenta can be donated and does not interfere with the delivery of a baby). Overseen by specialist tissue donation nurses or health care professionals.

Donating hearts, lung and pancreas

These give life to people who are waiting for life-saving transplants.

Donating skin

Doctors use donated skin to treat patients with burns and severe injuries. Skin donation also helps cover wounds, prevent infection and ease pain while natural healing takes place.

Donating bone, tendons and cartilage

This can help complex joint repairs or to replace bone, lost to cancer or surgery. These tissues help patients to heal and regain movement.

Donating blood vessels and heart valves

This helps people (especially children) with serious heart problems. And makes major heart and vascular surgery possible.

Donating corneas

These are the clear layers at the front of your eyes, that help you see. Donating them restores sight for people with damaged or diseased eyes (people with glasses can still donate).

Comedian Paul Kerensa (who co-wrote comedy series Miranda) is the proud recipient of the cornea of a 65-year old woman, to whom he is very thankful. He says he wears his ‘hand-me-down cornea’ with pride.

Donate your body (for medical research)

Body donation! is a great way to help reduce animal testing. Cadavers are needed to find cures for disease (healthy bodies too as you need a healthy brain to compare with one from someone who died of dementia).

Usually religious views are respected and some offer prosthetics for open caskets. Read of reasons only to give to humane medical research.

Organ donation in the UK

Organ donation arrangements differ between countries within the UK, and the rules and consent systems can change over time.

In England, the law operates under a system of deemed consent for organ donation, subject to certain exclusions and safeguards. This means that adults who are ordinarily resident in England are generally considered to have agreed to donate their organs after death unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or an applicable exception applies.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.

Because legislation and registration systems can change, anyone considering organ donation should check the current information provided by the relevant UK health service.

Regardless of the legal system, discussing your wishes with your family remains extremely important.

Why telling your family matters

One of the most important things you can do after making an organ donation decision is to tell the people closest to you.

Family members may be involved in discussions with healthcare professionals after your death. Knowing what you wanted can help them understand and support your decision. Having the conversation in advance can also reduce uncertainty at an incredibly difficult time.

You do not need to have a formal or complicated conversation. You could simply tell your family that you have decided whether or not you want to donate your organs and explain why.

Even if your decision is recorded officially, making sure your family knows your wishes is still a valuable step.

Does organ donation affect funeral arrangements?

A common concern is whether organ donation will affect the appearance of the donor or interfere with funeral plans. Organ donation is carried out by specialist medical teams with respect and care.

After donation, the donor’s body is returned to the family. In many cases, funeral arrangements can proceed as planned.

The exact circumstances can vary depending on the type of donation and individual situation, so anyone with concerns should seek information from the relevant organ donation service.

For many families, knowing that donation may help other people can provide some comfort during an otherwise difficult time.

Can older people become organ donors?

People sometimes assume that they are too old to donate organs. There is not necessarily a simple age cut-off that determines whether someone can be an organ donor.

Medical teams assess potential donors individually. The suitability of an organ depends on many factors beyond age, including overall health and the condition of the particular organ.

What if you have a medical condition?n?

Having a medical condition does not automatically mean that you cannot become an organ donor. Again, suitability is assessed on an individual basis.

Some illnesses may affect whether particular organs or tissues can be donated, while other medical conditions may have little or no impact on certain forms of donation.

If you want to donate, record your decision and allow medical professionals to determine whether donation is possible if the circumstances arise.

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