Talk to your family about organ donation - Healthcare in Canada

In order to be an organ donor, the donor must die from brain death, also referred to as neurological death. In laymen's terms, this form of death results from a severe injury to the brain, whereby the brain ceases to function because of insufficient blood or oxygen. If the person does not die before reaching a hospital, the organs can be kept alive for a short period of time, allowing for them to be donated. This is highly uncommon, occurring in just 1% to 2% of all deaths. People who die from other causes cannot donate organs, although they may still be able to donate tissue, including eyes, skin, bones, veins, and heart valves.

Talk to your family about organ donation