• Age limits

    It doesn’t matter what age we are or how our health is, each of us can be an eligible donor. Organs and tissue from people in their 70s and 80s are often transplanted successfully.

  • Donor health

    Having an illness or medical condition doesn't necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ or tissue donor.

  • My family's role

    Your family will always be asked for their support for organ donation to go ahead, even if you’re on the Organ Donor Register. That’s why talking to them and letting them know your decision is so important.

  • Eye donation

    Eye donation involves donating your corneas – not your iris.  Corneas are tiny pieces of tissue at the front of your eyes. You’ll never see them, but they make a massive difference to how you see the world. They let light into your eyes, enabling you to see.

  • Faith, beliefs, culture

    It can be helpful to know that all the major religions and belief systems in the UK are open to the principles of organ donation and transplantation and accept that organ donation is an individual choice.

  • Funeral arrangements

    Burial traditions in Northern Ireland are often different than in other parts of the UK.  The organ donation operation is performed as soon as possible after death by highly skilled professionals who take the same care and attention, and offer the same respect as they would in any operation.

  • Medical Research

    Bodies are not accepted for medical science education or research if organs have been donated. The only exception is if only the corneas are to be donated. 

  • Our duty of care

    Every effort will be made to save your life above all else

    Healthcare professionals have a duty to save life wherever possible, but unfortunately, even after every effort has been made to save a patient’s life, this is not always possible.