If you want to donate your organs after your death, it is important to inform the members of your family of your decision to ensure that your wishes are respected.
There are different ways to indicate that you wish to donate your organs.
Organ and tissue donation after death can save many lives and help others return to health.
It generally takes around 24 hours for donated organs and tissues to be transplanted, since certain procedures and analyses must be done to evaluate the organs and tissues and to find compatible recipients.
Transplant Québec is mandated by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux to coordinate organ donation. Héma-Québec coordinates tissue donation.
Organs and Tissues that can be Donated
The organs that can be donated for transplantation are the kidneys, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines.
The principal tissues that can be donated are bones, skin, heart valves, veins, tendons and corneas.
Consent
You can indicate your consent to organ and tissue donation using the consent sticker.
Another way is to register your consent:
- with the Registre des consentements au don d’organes et de tissus of the Chambre des notaires
- or with the Registre des consentements au don d’organes et de tissus of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec
The Registre of the Chambre des notaires contains a record of the contents and refusals of organ and tissue donation collected when wills and protection mandates are drawn up. Health professionals authorized by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux can check the Registre at any time to find out whether a deceased person has consented to such a donation.
The Registre of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec contains a record of consents to organ and tissue donation. It can only be consulted by Transplant Québec and Héma-Québec.
Donations for Research or Teaching Purposes
The organs and tissues of a donor can only be used for teaching or scientific research if the donor has specifically consented to this and if the organs or tissues are not suitable for transplantation.
Organ Donations in Remote Regions
If the donor is in a remote region, with the family’s consent the body of the deceased will be transferred to a transplant centre. The hospital covers the cost of moving the body and later returning it to the family.
Viewing the Deceased at a Funeral Home
The specialists who remove the organs and tissues are careful to ensure that everything is done with respect for human dignity, and that the appearance of the deceased is not affected. The procedure takes place in an operating room, with the same care as any other surgery, so that once the body is dressed there is no external indication that anything has been removed. Thus, organ and tissue donation is fully compatible with all funeral arrangements, including with an open casket.
Anonymity
Organ and tissue donation is an anonymous gesture. A recipient who wishes to contact the donor’s family must go through Transplant Québec. The reverse is also true. In all cases, anonymity is always respected.
Failure to Inform the Family
Sometimes when a person dies the medical team cannot determine the wishes of the deceased regarding organ and tissue donation. In such cases the team will ask the family to make a decision.
Organ and tissue donations are made freely. No financial compensation should be expected or requested.
