Each person who wants to save or improve lives through organ and tissue donation can potentially benefit many others. Each donor can possibly give eight organs to help others, including the heart, both kidneys, liver, two lungs, pancreas and small bowel. Several kinds of tissue can be donated for transplant - bone, cornea, heart valves, islet cells and skin.
The decision to donate organs and tissues after death is a very personal one. Once you have made your decision, you should make your wishes known.
Talk to your family
Discuss your organ and tissue donation wishes with your next of kin. By telling your family of your decision, they will be able to act on your behalf by taking the opportunity to fulfill your wishes. It's important for your family to know about your intentions as they will be asked to give final consent for organ and tissue retrieval following your death.
Register
You can register your consent by downloading the Organ & Tissue Donor Registration form, registering in person at any Service Ontario Centre, or registering online on the Be a Donor website.