Don’t leave your loved ones in doubt
If you’ve made your organ and tissue donation decision, tell your family and friends. Because if your loved ones know your decision, it’ll make it easier for them to ensure it is honoured.
Everyone aged 16 or over has a choice – to be an organ and tissue donor, or to opt out.
If you choose to do nothing, then it will be assumed you agree to donate certain organs and tissue for transplantation, unless you are in a group for whom the opt out system doesn’t apply, or if donation would be against your views.
Only 1% of people will die in a way that makes organ donation possible, which is usually in a hospital intensive care unit. There may also be opportunities to donate tissue such as heart valves, tendons and corneas, from within a hospital setting.
If you’ve made your decision, make it known. You can register your donation decision and find out more at www.organdonation.scot or call 0300 123 23 23.
Will I be able to donate?
Healthcare professionals decide which organs and tissue are suitable to be donated. So don’t let age or health conditions stop you from registering your decision.
What happens if I don’t register my donation decision?
If you do nothing it will be assumed you agree to be a donor unless you are in a group whom the law doesn’t apply, or donation would be against your views – faith and beliefs are always respected.