Living donation
Who can be a living organ donor?
Any adult who is in general good health can be assessed to become a living donor. Every potential donor must participate in thorough medical assessments to ensure they are healthy enough to donate one of their kidneys or part of their liver.
The kidney donation process involves the surgical removal of one kidney from a healthy donor and transplanted into a recipient in need. In a healthy, approved donor, the remaining kidney is able to compensate for the removed kidney by increasing its functioning capacity.
Healthy adults can become living liver donors after extensive medical testing. Up to one half of the donor’s liver is surgically removed and transplanted into a recipient in need. Annual follow-ups with a doctor are recommended for all living organ donors.
Kidney paired donation
The kidney paired donation program matches transplant candidates with suitable living donors. It gives people the chance to become a living kidney donor while ensuring that someone they want to help receives a needed kidney, even if they are not a direct match.
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 interprovincial sharing of organs.
