Everyone is eligible to be a donor! Each potential donor is assessed individually, with medical history carefully reviewed on a case-by-case basis. From newborns to older adults, donation is possible at every stage of life. Medical suitability is done on a case-by-case basis by highly trained New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Donation Program staff at the time of referral.
You can indicate your intent to be a donor by checking the appropriate box on the Medicare Updates and Changes Form which is also available at www.gnb.ca/Medicare or you can call Service New Brunswick Teleservices at 1-888-762-8600.
Each year, hundreds of Canadians wait for the call that a lifesaving organ is available. One donor can change that story—offering health, hope and more time with loved ones. The national transplant system honours and thanks every individual and family who chooses to give the gift of life through organ donation.
In Canada, there are two ways in which a person must die to allow them to become an organ donor:
Neurological determination of death (also referred to as ”brain death”) means the brain has permanently lost all function, and a diagnosis of death using neurological criteria has been determined.
Sometimes, organ donation is possible after a person’s heart has permanently stopped beating. This is called donation after circulatory death (DCD).
DCD may be an option for patients with severe injuries when doctors, families and care teams have exhausted all life-sustaining therapies (WLST). Donation can only proceed after death is officially declared by two physicians at the bedside, who are not part of the transplant team. This ensures the process is carried out with the highest level of care, respect and medical integrity.
Any New Brunswicker who is in good health can be assessed to become a living donor. Every potential donor must have a complete medical checkup to make sure they are healthy enough to donate a kidney to a person in need. However, there are many factors that must be considered.
Deceased donation is a rare occurrence. For someone to become a deceased organ donor, they have to die under very specific circumstances. The opportunities for deceased organ donation remain limited as only about 1–2% of deaths in hospitals occur in such a way as to allow for donation.
Misconceptions about organ and tissue donation still exist. It is important not to rule yourself out. Register your decision, speak with your family, and help raise awareness about the life-changing impact of donation. Talking about one’s eventual death can be difficult, not only for yourself but also for your family.
