To record your consent (permission) to be an
organ or tissue donor in Alberta, you must be 18 years old or older.
You can legally record your consent to be a donor in one of these ways:
If you register to be a donor at a registry agent office, you will be asked if you want the donor symbol (a heart with the word "donor") added to your driver's license or ID card. There is a cost to add this symbol or remove it from an existing card.
Your donation consent information is confidential. It is health information, and health information is protected by law in Alberta.
Registering as an organ and tissue donor will not affect your medical care. You will get whatever medical treatments you need, and every effort will be made to save your life before donation is even considered.
Whether or not your consent is recorded, the healthcare team would speak with your next of kin (your immediate family) to talk about organ and tissue donation. If your family does not wish to proceed with the donation, the process will not continue.
It's important to tell your family what your wishes are for organ and tissue donation. This helps your family feel better with moving ahead with the donation process after your death, because they know what you want.
Updating choices
If you want to update your choices for organ and tissue donation, you can:
It's important to tell your family about changes to your donation choices.
Withdrawing consent
If you’re thinking of withdrawing (taking back) consent because you have questions about being an organ or tissue donor, call Health Link at 811 or talk to your doctor.
If you no longer wish to be a donor, you can withdraw consent in one of these ways:
You cannot withdraw your consent at Registry Agent offices.
Be sure to tell your family about any changes to your donation consent.
Family consent and decision-making
If you die and are considered medically eligible to be a potential organ or tissue donor, the healthcare team will talk to your family about donation.
A family member will be asked to sign a consent form saying they have been informed about, and agree with, the donation process, even if you have recorded your wish to be a donor.
Your family will also be asked to answer questions about your medical and social history as part of the screening process.
If your family does not sign the consent form and answer the questions, donation cannot happen. That is why it is very important to talk about your wishes with your family. Your family will feel better moving ahead with the donation process if they know what you want.
Your family will not be pressured to donate. Organ and tissue donation is very personal. The healthcare team will explain the options to your family so they can make the choice. Their knowledge of your donation wishes will help them to make the final decision.
