Organ and tissue donations: What you need to know

A health professional will determine your eligibility to donate after your death

Anyone can donate their organs or tissues, regardless of their state of health or sexual orientation. However, people under the age of 14 need the consent of their parents or guardian to do this.

Health professionals will determine your eligibility to donate your organs or tissues after your death. They will consider the physical condition of your body, your medical and social history as well as the presence of certain degenerative diseases.

Steps for registering as a donor

You can register as a tissue or organ donor in one of the following three ways:

• Register with the RAMQ’s Organ and Tissue Donation Registry, either online or by telephone.
• Register with the Chambre des notaires’ Organ and Tissue Donation Registry.
• Sign the sticker that comes with the renewal notice for your health insurance card and place it on the back of the card.

It’s important to let your family and loved ones know about your decision. They’ll be able to confirm your consent at the time of your death and ask the healthcare staff begin the necessary steps.

Organ and Tissue Donation – Eligibility (Gouvernement du Québec)

Organ and Tissue Donation – Procedure (Gouvernement du Québec)

Your loved ones can consent to your organ or tissue donation if your wishes aren’t known

As a relative or loved one, you can also consent to the organ or tissue donation of the deceased if their wishes aren’t known. The death of a loved one can be unexpected, and it’s often a very emotional ordeal. Organ donations can provide a certain level of comfort during these difficult times.

Families and Loved Ones: What Should You Expect (Héma-Québec)

Resources and Bibliographies (Transplant Québec)