Organ donation, with full understanding
Every donation is a life that continues
Every year, thousands of people wait for a transplant that could save their life or dramatically improve it. Behind every organ donation, there is a story: that of a donor, that of a recipient, and that of two families forever connected by a single act.
Organos Protection informs you, supports you, and answers all your questions about organ and tissue donation, with complete transparency.
Who are we?
Organos Protection is an association created by physicians involved in the field of transplantation and patient care.
Our belief is simple: a well-understood organ donation is a better-accepted organ donation. Too many people hesitate or refuse out of misunderstanding, fear, or misconceptions that still circulate today.
Our mission:
- Inform with rigor and honesty, without minimizing or dramatizing the issues at stake.
- Raise awareness among the general public about the importance of donation.
- Support those who wish to become donors, or simply want to better understand the subject.
Because we are physicians, we are committed to providing you with reliable, verified, and up-to-date medical information.
Organ donation in numbers
Organ donation is not an abstract issue. It is a reality that affects thousands of patients every day.
- Thousands of people are currently registered on transplant waiting lists.
- A single donor can save or improve the lives of several recipients.
- Waiting times for a transplant can range from a few months to several years, depending on the organ involved and compatibility.
- Every day, patients die because no organ becomes available in time.
These numbers are not meant to impress you, but to show you one thing: your decision, whatever it may be, matters.
Understanding organ donation
What is organ donation?
Organ donation involves removing one or more organs (kidney, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas…) or tissues (corneas, skin, bone, heart valves…) from a deceased person, or in some cases a living person, in order to transplant them into a patient whose own organ is no longer functioning properly.
The different types of donation
- Donation after death: this is the most common case. It is governed by strict medical and legal criteria.
- Living donation: possible for certain organs (such as a kidney or part of the liver), generally reserved for relatives of a patient, under rigorous medical supervision.
- Tissue donation: often less well known, it involves corneas, skin, bone, or heart valves, and can significantly improve the lives of many patients.
Why is this a public health issue?
Around the world, the number of patients waiting for a transplant remains higher than the number of available organs. Raising public awareness directly helps address this imbalance.
Your rights, your free choice
Organ donation is above all based on one essential principle: the choice is yours.
The principle of consent
Depending on the country, legislation regarding consent to organ donation may vary:
- In some systems, everyone is presumed to be a donor, unless they have expressed refusal during their lifetime.
- In others, explicit consent must be given.
In all cases, you have the right to choose, to change your mind, and to express your position at any time.
How to express your wishes
- You can register your consent or refusal on an official registry, where one exists in your country.
- You can carry a donor card.
- You can, and we strongly encourage this, talk about it with your loved ones.
Why talking to your loved ones matters
In the event of death, it is often your loved ones who will be consulted about your position if it has not been clearly recorded. Talking to them about it today spares them from having to decide on your behalf during an already difficult time.
Risks and safety: your questions answered
We understand that the topic of organ donation raises legitimate questions, and sometimes concerns. Here are clear answers, provided by physicians.
Is organ removal medically and legally regulated? Yes. Organ removal can only be carried out within a strict medical framework, after death has been confirmed using precise medical criteria, and in accordance with applicable legislation.
Is the donor’s body respected? Yes. The procedure is carried out with the same respect and surgical rigor as any standard operation. The body is then returned to the family, allowing funeral arrangements to proceed under normal conditions.
Can organ donation delay or prevent a funeral ceremony? Medical teams work to ensure that organ removal does not prevent the funeral rites desired by the family, in the vast majority of cases.
Can I change my mind? Yes, at any time. Your position is never set in stone.
For any more specific questions, please visit our dedicated page on risks and safety in organ donation.
How to become a donor
Becoming a donor is a simple commitment, based on a few steps:
- Get informed about organ donation (you’re in the right place).
- Make your choice consciously, without pressure.
- Register your decision through your country’s official registry, if one exists.
- Talk to your loved ones, so they know and respect your decision.
- Carry a donor card, if this option exists in your country.
Useful resources
Organ donation is a broad subject, overseen by official institutions and supported by many dedicated organizations. Here is a selection of reliable resources to help you learn more or complete certain procedures.
Official institutions
- Biomedicine Agency (Agence de la biomédecine) — The public body responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and supervising organ, tissue, and cell donation and transplantation activities.
- National Refusal Registry (Registre National des Refus) — The official registry allowing any individual to record, during their lifetime, their refusal of organ and tissue donation after death.
- Ministry of Health — For consulting current laws and regulations regarding organ donation.
Associations and support
- French Funeral Information Association (AFIF – Association Française d’Information Funéraire) — An association providing information on rights and procedures related to funerals, useful for understanding how organ donation relates to funeral rites.
- France Adot (Association for Organ and Tissue Donation) — An associative network raising awareness of organ donation, present in many regions.
- Transplant patient associations — To connect with people who have experienced a transplant, whether as recipients or as donor families.
To go further
- Health blogs and specialized websites — A selection of recognized medical sites and blogs covering topics related to transplantation, bioethics, and public health.
- Scientific and medical publications — Studies and reports to help you better understand advances in transplantation research.
- Podcasts and documentaries — Accessible formats for exploring organ donation from a human and educational perspective.
Our latest posts
- How to Become an Organ Donor in 5 Minutes
- Transplant Rejection: What It Is and How It’s Prevented
- How to Register Your Refusal or Consent to Organ Donation
- Living organ donation: who can donate, and under what conditions?
- Which organs and tissues can be donated? A complete guide
- Organ donation vs. tissue donation: what’s the difference?
« Thanks to an organ donation, I was able to return to a normal life. I think of my donor and their family every day. » — A recipient
« We lost our son suddenly. Knowing that his organs saved three lives brought us some comfort during this ordeal. » — A donor’s family
« As a physician, I witness every day the impact of an organ donation on a patient’s life. It is an act of immense significance. » — A healthcare professional
Frequently asked questions
Does organ donation involve any cost for the donor or their family? No, organ removal does not generate any costs for the donor or their family.
Is there an age limit to become a donor? No. It is the health of the organs at the time of death that determines whether donation is possible, not the donor’s age.
Can I choose to donate certain organs and not others? In many systems, yes. You can specify your wishes regarding specific organs or tissues.
Is organ donation compatible with all religious beliefs? Most major religions view organ donation as an act of solidarity and generosity. Please visit our dedicated page for more details according to your faith.
Together, let’s make organ donation an informed choice, for you and for others.
Organos Protection — An association of physicians raising awareness about organ and tissue donation.