Become a Registered Organ Donor
By becoming a registered organ donor, you may save a life someday. There is a chronic shortage of most organs needed for transplant in Canada – currently, more than 4,000 Canadians are waiting for organ transplants, and too many of them are children.
Organ transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. After one year, liver and kidney transplant recipients enjoy a survival rate that exceeds 85%. For more facts on organ donation…
Transplants are also cost-effective. For each person with kidney disease, the average cost of dialysis treatment is $50,000 per year. The cost of a kidney transplant is approximately $20,000, with an additional $6,000 per year for anti-rejection medicines.
Organ and tissue donation provides each of us with a special opportunity to help others. Sharing your decision to be an organ donor with your family is as important as making the decision itself. Sharing your decision now will help your family to carry out your decision later. It is necessary for you to document your decision by completing a donor registration card. In some provinces, this can easily be done on-line.
In Canada, each province has its own organ and tissue donation system. To find out more information on the program in your region, please choose the appropriate province/territory:
- Alberta, Nunavut, Northwest Territories – these provinces do not currently have a registry, signing the back of your medical card or a donor card and making your wishes known to your family is standard practice.
For more information, contact the H.O.P.E. (Human Organ Procurement and Exchange) Program:
• For Calgary and southern Alberta, call 403-944-8700
• For Edmonton and northern Alberta, as well as for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, call 780-407-8411
The British Columbia Transplant Society maintains a legally binding organ donor registry, which has replaced all previous methods of indicating intent to donate organs. You can register on the Transplant Society's website, by phone (1-800-663-6189) or by mail-in form --
- Saskatchewan - To show that you want to become a potential donor in Saskatchewan, place the orange "organ and tissue donor" sticker (included in each health services card package) on your health card. More information is available on Saskatchewan Health's website or by calling them at 1-800-667-7551.
To become an organ donor in Manitoba, in addition to informing your family of your wishes, you should sign a donor card and carry it with your health card. Donor cards are available from Manitoba Health's website or by calling 204-787-1897.
To indicate your willingness to donate organs and tissues in Quebec, obtain a free donation sticker and apply it to your health card. Stickers are available at CLSCs, hospitals or drugstores.
New Medicare cards have your wishes about organ donation clearly displayed; you can make your intent known on your renewal form. If you would like to show your desire to become a donor before your card is up for renewal, contact Service New Brunswick at 1-888-762-8600.
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In Newfoundland and Labrador, you can show you wish to be a donor by signing a donor card or indicating your decision on your driver's license. For more information, contact the Department of Health and Community Services at 709-729-4984.
In Nova Scotia you can register your wish for organ and tissue donation on your health card on renewal. You can also call MSI at 1-800-563-8880 and a donor registration form will be mailed to you. Capital Health offers more information on organ donation in Nova Scotia.
According to InfoPEI, the province doesn't have an organ donor card, but there are a number of ways to make your wishes known, in addition to discussing them with your family:
• You can place a red sticker on your P.E.I. health card. The sticker is mailed to you with your health card renewal form.
• You can have a red heart engraved on your driver's license at the time of renewal. If you have already renewed your driver's license, you can still go to the Ministry of Transportation offices and they will add it for free.
• You can express your wish to donate organs and tissues in writing when preparing your health care directive.
Yukon Health and Social Services offers information on becoming a donor on its website. For information on how to become an organ donor with the Yukon Organ Donor Program, call 1-867-667-5209 or 1-800-661-0408, local 5209.
If you are a resident of the United States and you wish to become a donor, contact your local Coalition on Donation. A list of these state representatives can be obtained from the Coalition on Donation site.