What is donation?
Donation is a selfless gesture, considered to be the greatest act of kindness among human beings.
Who can be a donor?
All citizens who are not registered in the National Registry of Non-Donors (RENNDA) can be organ donors. In other words, according to Portuguese law, everyone can be considered a potential donor, as long as they do not express opposition to the donation in the National Registry of Non-Donors (RENNDA).
What are the conditions to be a donor?
Despite the desire of each one to be a donor, not everyone can be, since it is necessary that the death of the donor occurs in an Intensive Care Unit of a hospital, since it is in these units that the organs can be preserved and all the necessary tests are carried out for the correct evaluation of each potential donor.
What organs and tissues can be donated?
The organs that can be donated are:
- The kidneys
- The Liver
- The Heart
- The pancreas
- The Lungs
From an organ donor, the following may also be harvested:
- osteotendinous tissues (such as bone, tendon, and other osteotendinous structures)
- Corneas
- Heart Valves
- Vascular segments
- skin
Can you define which organs to donate?
yes. If you do not want to donate any organ or tissue, you must express it in the National Registry of Non-Donors (RENNDA), although the possibility of complete donation (of all organs) is usually contemplated given the shortage of organs for transplantation.
By consulting the National Registry of Non-Donors (RENNDA) it is possible to understand which organs or tissues cannot be used.
Is it possible to donate in life?
Living donation is possible if the conditions and requirements established in the legislation are met in order to guarantee the rights of both parties, freedom of decision, voluntariness, gratuitousness and altruism. Each case has its own particularities, so the doctor responsible for the recipient should always be consulted.
Can you define which organs to donate?
yes. If you do not want to donate certain organs or tissues, you must express this in the National Registry of Non-Donors (RENNDA).
Is there an age limit for organ donation?
There is no age limit for organ donation. It is the quality and functionality of the organs that determine whether they can be used for transplantation.
What can prevent donation?
It is mandatory to ensure that the donor does not have any disease or pathology that can be transmitted by the organ or tissues to whom they will receive them. Otherwise, the donation and consequent transplant cannot take place.
How can I give consent for the donation?
According to Portuguese law, all persons are considered potential donors, as long as they do not express opposition to the donation in the National Registry of Non-Donors (RENNDA).
How can I be a living donor?
Living donation is possible if you comply with the conditions and requirements established in the legislation, namely:
- be 18 years of age or older
- Be healthy physically and mentally
Source: Portuguese Institute of Blood and Transplantation (IPST)