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the Gift of
Life
To indicate your intention to be
an organ or tissue donor, please
use one of the options below:
1
Check the box on your drivers
licence application or renewal and a
red heart will appear in the lower
right hand corner of your licence
2
Visit the Give section of our website:
www.easternhealth.ca/Give.aspx to
obtain your own organ/tissue donor
card
3
Call our office at 709-777-6600
(within St. John’s) Toll Free 1-877640-1110 to have a card mailed to
you.
Please consider
Organ and Tissue Donation
e
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the Gift of
Life
For further
information contact:
The Organ Procurement and Exchange of
Newfoundland and Labrador (OPEN)
Health Sciences Center
St. John’s, Newfoundland A1B 3V6
Telephone: 709-777-6600
(within St. John’s)
OPEN
Organ and Tissue
Donation Saves Lives
Toll free: 1- 877-640-1110
Visit the Give section of our website:
www.easternhealth.ca
OPEN
Most importantly share your
wishes with your family.
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the Gift of
Updated: October 3, 2012
Life
For many people an
Organ/Tissue Transplant
provides a new beginning.
Many people in Newfoundland and Labrador
are in need of an organ or tissue transplant.
These people can only wait and hope. Many
will die while waiting. Organ donation is
based solely on human compassion. This
pamphlet will answer some commonly asked
questions about organ and tissue donation.
What organs and tissues are
needed?
Will everything possible be done
to save my life?
Corneas: “The window of the eye” can restore
the sight in someone who has disease or injury
to the cornea. Cornea transplants have a 95%
success. Cornea donors can be from 18
months to their 76th birthday.
YES! Every effort will be made to save your life.
Only after death has been declared will you be
considered as an organ and/or tissue donor.
How can I be a donor?
serious heart disorders. For these people a
heart transplant is their only hope. Even if the
heart is not okay for transplant the heart
valves may still be used.
If you would like to be an organ and /or a
tissue donor tell those closest to you about
your decision. You can fill out an organ donor
card or check the box on your drivers license
renewal form. At the time of your death your
family will be asked to give consent on your
behalf.
Heart: Many people of all ages suffer from
Lungs: People with severe lung problems may
require a lung transplant. Sometimes a lung
and heart transplant is preformed at the same
time.
Liver: Some liver diseases can mean death for
Who can become a donor?
Anyone can be a possible organ and tissue
donor. There is no age limit on organ donation.
Following death, the donor is assessed by
trained health care staff.
How successful are transplants?
There have been great advances in organ and
tissue transplants in recent years. Most
transplant recipients return to useful and
productive lives.
the patient; a liver transplant can give new
hope.
Kidneys: People who suffer from kidney
disease can be kept alive with dialysis;
however dialysis does not completely replace
the kidney. People on dialysis live very
restricted lives. A kidney transplant may allow
these people to lead full and healthy lives; in
most cases kidney transplant is very successful.
Pancreas: People with diabetes can live free of
insulin injections when they are given a
pancreas transplant.
What is the view of religious
groups on organ and tissue
donation?
Most religious groups support donation.
Organ and Tissue donation is a life saving or
life enhancing gift to another. There is no
greater gift.
Is the body disfigured after organ
or tissue donation?
No. The organs are removed by surgeons in
the operating room and corneas are removed
by trained healthcare staff. This is done with
respect and dignity. Funeral arrangements can
go ahead as planned, usually within 24 hours
after death. There are no physical signs that
would prevent a viewing of the deceased at
the funeral home.