Who benefits from organ donation and what can be donated?
One organ donor has the potential to improve or even save the lives of around six to ten people on the transplant waiting list. Organs and tissues will only go to people who need them if you record your consent or intent on the register. Your organs will not be used for research. There are many organs that can be donated and the donor can choose to donate all or only a few. The choices include: • kidneys • heart • lungs • liver • pancreas. Although it is called organ donation, body tissue can also be donated. The tissue choices include: • heart valves • bone tissue • skin and eye tissue. Blood donation is separate to organ donation. Transplant Waiting Lists People who are in desperate need of an organ are put on to what is called a ‘transplant waiting list’. The amount of time that people will have to wait depends on how long they have already been waiting, how sick they are and their blood group and weight. The table below shows the number of people on the list at the beginning of 200
