There are approximately 550 people in Ireland awaiting life-saving heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants. Thanks to the gift of organ donation, almost 4,000 transplanted people in Ireland are enjoying extended life.

You can become an organ donor by just telling your family or next-of-kin that you wish to donate your organs after your death. Your family or next-of-kin can inform a doctor or another healthcare professional in a hospital if they are asked about your wishes regarding organ donation.

What is donation?

Donation is the giving of an organ to help someone that needs a transplant.

Transplants can save or transform the life of a person. This relies on donors and their families agreeing to donate their organ after death. Having a medical condition does not prevent you from becoming a donor (an individual decision will be made by a healthcare professional at the time of your death).

Why is donation important?

Unfortunately, there are fewer donor organs available than there are people waiting. Some people die waiting for a transplant. Some spend weeks or months in hospital, while others make several trips to hospital every week for treatment.

It is important to know that the removal of organs is carried out with the same care and respect as any other operation. Organ donation does not disfigure the body or change the way it looks nor does it cause any delay to funeral arrangements.

By becoming an organ and/or a tissue donor, you could save the lives of up to 5 people who are in end-stage organ failure.

How can you make a difference?

Organ Donor Cards can also be obtained by:

Phoning the Irish Kidney Association on 01 6205306
Free texting the word DONOR to 50050 or
Applying online by filling in this form

For more information visit the Irish Kidney Association