Tissue Donation

What is tissue donation?

Most people are aware that hundreds of lives are saved every year by donated organs, such as hearts and kidneys. They may not realize that donated tissues such as skin, bone and heart valves can dramatically improve the quality of life for others and even save them.

As many as 50 people can be helped from the donation from one person.

Which tissues can be donated?

Many kinds of tissues can be donated after death:

• Eyes can help restore sight to people with cornea problems (the clear part of the eye). This may be a result of damage caused by eye disease or injury, or defects from birth, and the white part of the eye (the sclera) can be used in operations to rebuild the eye.
• Heart valves can be transplanted to save the lives of children born with heart defects, and adults with damaged heart valves.
• Skin can be used as a natural dressing, helping treat people with serious burns. This can save lives by stopping infections, can help reduce scarring and reduces pain.
• Bone is important for people receiving artificial joint replacements, or replacing bone that has been removed due to illness or injury. It helps reduce pain and improve mobility.
• Tendons, the elastic-like cords that attach bones and muscles to each other can be donated to help rebuild damaged joints, which helps people move more easily.

Can we choose which tissues to donate?

Yes. Only those tissues for which you have given permission for will be donated.

Is there an age limit to tissue donation?

There are NO age restrictions for:

• Bone
• Skin
• Eyes

However, heart valves and tendons can only be donated up to the age of 60.

Can anyone become a tissue donor?

Almost anyone can be considered as a tissue donor, however, there are some rare exemptions.

To ensure that all donated tissues are safe, the donors medical and life style history is assessed similar to blood donors, to protect the person receiving the tissue from infection.

How long after death can tissue be donated?

The best time is within 24 hours after someone has died. However, sometimes it is possible to donate up to 48 hours after death.