Read this article from our Support Magazine that has tips to help you navigate
whether something is true, false, or somewhere in between.
Organ Donation and Consent
This graphic shows that family will continue to have a central role in the organ donation process even after the Human Tissue Act (2024) commences.
To quote the legislation:
Where a person has not registered his or her objection to the donation of his or her relevant organs in accordance with section 33 , a registered medical practitioner who, after the person’s death proposes to remove a relevant organ from that person for the purposes of transplantation shall satisfy himself or herself that the designated family member of the person has confirmed that he or she does not have any objection to the donation of the relevant organ.
Key Things To Remember
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If you die in circumstances that mean organ donation may be a possibility, and you have not opted out, your family and next of kin will always be involved before donation takes place, and your faith, beliefs and culture will continue to be respected.
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Organ and tissue donation is, and always will be, a precious gift given by choice.
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The Act was needed to replace legislation going back to 1832 and provides a legal framework for organ donation.
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You can change your mind about organ donation at any time. Make sure your loved ones know your wishes.
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Very few people die in circumstances that make it possible for them to donate their organs.
How to spot misinformation online
Organ Donation: Don't let these myths confuse you
Around 600 people in Ireland are waiting for an organ transplant.
Sadly, some of these may never get the call saying that a donor organ has been found. Many may not get that second chance at life.
It can be hard to think about dying. It can be even harder to think about donating organs and tissue. But organ donors save lives.
Here are answers to some common organ donation myths and concerns - click the myth to read the facts.
Fact: When you go to the hospital for treatment, the health care team tries to save your life, not someone else's. You get the best care you can get.
Fact: This is a popular myth. But in reality, people don't start to wiggle their toes after a health care provider says they're dead. In fact, people who have agreed to organ donation are given more tests to make sure they're dead than are those who aren't donating organs.
Fact: Most major faiths accept organ donation. These include Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, most branches of Judaism and most Protestant faiths. Some religions believe organ donation to be an act of charity. If you don't know where your faith stands on organ donation, ask a member of your clergy.
Fact: If you die before your 18th birthday, your parents or legal guardian will make the decision. If you want to be an organ donor, make sure your family is OK with your wishes. Remember, children, too, need organ transplants. They often need organs smaller than adult size.
Fact: Donors' bodies are treated with care and respect. And they're dressed for burial. No one can see that they donated organs or tissues.
Fact: There's no standard cutoff age for donating organs. The decision to use your organs is based on the health of your organs, not age. Let the health care team decide at the time of your death whether your organs and tissues can be transplanted.
Fact: Very few medical conditions keep you from donating organs. Maybe you can't donate some organs, but other organs and tissues are fine. Again, let the health care team suggest at the time of your death whether your organs and tissues can be transplanted.
Fact: It is normal medical practise to vaccinate against infectious diseases prior to transplant surgery. For example, Hepatitis B & C are routinely vaccinated against prior to surgery. Post transplant, patients take medication in order to reduce the risk of organ infection. This leads to a compromised immune system which reduces the ability to recover from infections. There is overwhelming evidence that organ transplant recipients are extremely vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus – mortality rates of 20% have been recorded in many countries. All patients suitable for transplantation will remain on the transplant programme regardless of their vaccination status. If they are called for an organ transplant, an individual risk assessment will be carried out to make sure the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks of surgery.