Am I eligible?
FAQs
Can I be a donor if I am older or have a medical condition?
Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, medical condition or sexual orientation. Even individuals with serious illnesses may sometimes be donors. All potential donors are evaluated on an individual, medical, case-by-case basis. The oldest Canadian organ donor was 92 and the oldest tissue donor was 104. Don’t rule yourself out.
Does my religion allow me to be an organ and tissue donor?
Most religions support organ and tissue donation as an act of life saving. If you are unsure, talk to your spiritual advisor.
If I'm not suitable as an organ donor can I still donate my tissue?
Tissue donation is possible for nearly everyone, even when organ donation is not possible.
If I am not able to donate blood, can I become an organ and tissue donor?
Individuals who are not eligible to donate blood may still be considered for organ or tissue donation.
Don’t count yourself out…
- A single organ donor can save up to eight lives.
- Eye and tissue donors can improve the lives of up to 75 patients.
- You are six times more likely to need an organ transplant than to become an organ donor.
- Age doesn’t matter. Canada’s oldest organ donor was over 90 years old.
- It takes 2 minutes to register your decision to become an organ donor.
- It is crucial that you talk with your family and loved ones about your decision to become a registered organ donor.
Canadian Blood Services' role in OTDT
Canadian Blood Services works with the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (OTDT) community to improve national system performance. We do this through the development of leading practices, professional education, public awareness and data analysis and reporting. We also manage clinical programs that support inter-provincial sharing of organs.
