Organ Donation
Organ and Tissue Donation
Many New Zealander's have ticked "yes" to becoming a donor on
their driver's licence however less than 1% of people who die can
donate organs for transplantation.
Organ donation can only happen when a person is on a ventilator
in an intensive care unit and has fatal brain damage.
Tissue donation - heart valves, eyes and skin- can occur in many
more circumstances and can be facilitated a number of hours
following death. Eye donation, in particular, can take place in a
hospital, hospice or funeral home.
People of all ages will be considered for tissue donation and
there are very few illnesses that would prevent donation.
Every year families in New Zealand generously agree to organ and
tissue donation following the death of a loved family member saving
or improving the lives of many grateful recipients.
A health professional from Organ Donation NZ is available 24
hours a day to answer any questions about donation or to facilitate
organ and tissue donation.
09 630 0935 - 24 hour
number
0800 4 DONOR- Office number
www.donor.co.nz