Families and loved ones: what should you expect?
Consider an option that could have positive results. By consenting to your loved one donating human tissues, you could change the life of more than 20 people. Families frequently indicate that donating tissues gives meaning to the death of their loved one.
Want to learn more about how the donation process works? Consult the health professionals who will guide you through the process. You can also check the section The five stages of donation.
We also invite you to visit Why consent to human tissue donation to find out how this type of donation can change lives.
Frequently asked questions
Each donor is rigorously assessed and, depending on the results of the assessment, the donation may proceed.
Once consent is obtained for the tissue donation, Héma-Québec usually requires a maximum of 24 hours to collect the tissue and return the body to loved ones.
The tissue collection process does not change the appearance of donors or prevent their viewing at funeral homes.
Human tissue donation involves the removal of body tissue from someone who is no longer breathing or has no pulse. It's all about creating a legacy of life.
First, the donor's body is handled with care and respect by a team of professionals who specialize in harvesting tissue. Samples are taken in Héma-Québec's specially designed facilities or hospital operating rooms — in accordance with strict protocols that comply with the standards of Health Canada and other recognized regulatory agencies.
The donor qualification process begins as soon as the family of the donors consent to removing their tissue, which must be harvested as soon as they die to ensure its quality.
Blood is drawn to determine the serologic profile of the donors (for factors such as their blood type, Rh factor, HIV and hepatitis).
Age criteria varies according to the type of tissue:
- Heart valves (birth to age 60)
- Skin, bone and tendon donations (ages 15 to 70)
- Eye donations (ages 2 to 85)
Test results, like any personal donation information, must be kept confidential. For this reason, all assessment and serologic results (serum studies) remain strictly confidential and can only be used to determine the eligibility of a potential donor.
Tissue is, processed and stored through a cryopreservation or cryostorage process (depending on the type) until it’s transplanted. Bacteriological tests are also performed on the harvested tissue to ensure that the graft (transplanted tissue or organ) for the future recipient meets the strictest quality standards.
One human tissue donor can help improve the lives of more than 20 recipients.
Unlike organs, human tissue can be harvested hours after blood circulation ceases. This significantly increases the potential for tissue donation after someone dies.
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