Register to Be an Organ Donor

More Transplants: A Patient Movement

More Transplants was developed to provide patients, living donors, donor families, government, and the broader public with the most credible and up-to-date information related to organ donation. This includes research, policy updates, news stories, and the patient/donor experiences. Visit MoreTransplants.ca to learn more.

Alberta organ and tissue donation registry

To learn more about organ and tissue donation in Alberta, visit Gift Life Alberta. This initiative is dedicated to increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation - and access to life-saving transplants. Registering as a donor can save lives - and restore the quality of life - of hundreds of people in Alberta each year.

In Alberta, there are 4 ways to consent to donate your organs and/or tissue (deceased donation).

• Register on the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry (AOTDR), and mail or fax a copy of your completed (dated, signed, and witnessed) donation consent form (as per Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act) to Alberta Health.

• Visit a Registry Agent office to register your consent. Note: by law, registry staff MUST ask your wishes.

• Sign (must be witnessed) the back of your Alberta Personal Health Card.

• If your intention is not recorded, your healthcare provider can call your next of kin (or immediate family). Ensure you talk about the option of organ and tissue donation and express your wishes.

Northwest Territories organ and tissue donation registry

The Government of the Northwest Territories has created an Organ and Tissue Donation Consent Form for NWT residents to help communicate your intent to donate. Your family may be asked before donation happens, however, so it is important they know your wishes.

For more information on the organ and tissue donation process in the Northwest Territories and to download the Consent Form.

Talk to your family

In the case of deceased donation, it is the next-of-kin who makes the final decision of whether to donate your organs and tissues. That is why it is so important to discuss your wishes with them. If they are aware of your decision, they will most likely respect your wishes if faced with this difficult decision.

The decision to become a donor is a personal one. There is no right or wrong choice. You may change your mind at any time but remember to tell your family.

Albertans! Did you know you can sign up to be an organ and/or tissue donor online?

What to consider and the ways you can consent to donate your organs and/or tissue (deceased donation):

• Think about it – discuss it with your support systems, do research, and make an informed decision you are comfortable with. The decision to become a donor is a personal one. There is no right or wrong choice. You may change your mind at any time.

• Register to be a donor. This can be done online or at any registry when you renew your car license. Note: by law, registry staff MUST ask your wishes. To register online, please visit the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry.

• If your intention is not recorded, your healthcare provider can ask your next of kin (or immediate family). Talk to your family about your wishes and keep them updated on any changes you make.

Your family makes the final decision on whether to donate your organs and tissues. Discussing your wishes with your family is more important than registering. If your family members are aware of your decision to donate, they are much more likely to know how to respond if faced with this difficult decision.

Talk to your family about your wishes.

Register now to be an organ donor. Heroes aren’t made – they’re registered!

Related Information

Alberta Health Services has created a one-stop-shop for information related to organ, tissue, and eye donation in Alberta.

Information on registering as an organ donor in your province is listed below. There are three important steps to Consider:

• Think about it – discuss it with your support systems, do research, and make an informed decision you are comfortable with.

• Register to be a donor.

• Talk to your family about your wishes.

The most important step in becoming a donor is speaking to your family about your organ donation wishes. It is your immediate family who will make the ultimate decision about your life-giving wishes.

New Brunswick

Indicate your intent to be a donor by checking the appropriate box and signing your Medicare renewal form. New Medicare cards will have your wishes about donation clearly displayed on the card. If you wish to indicate your intent to be a donor before renewing your card, please contact Service New Brunswick.

Nova Scotia

You can register your decision to be a donor and donate all or some of your organs and tissues after death. If you don’t want to donate your organs and tissues you can opt out.

As of 18 January 2021, Nova Scotians who have not registered their donation decision and are eligible, will be seen as having consented to organ and tissue donation after death. This is called ‘deemed consent’ under the new Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act.

Prince Edward Island

• In the past, Islanders could indicate their intention to be a donor on their driver’s licence and PEI Health Card.

• These methods will be phased out over the next 3-5 years and will be replaced with the Intent to Donate Registry.

• You can register your intention to become an organ or tissue donor electronically.

• Or you can complete the Intent to Donate form and mail it to: Medicare Office 126 Douses Road, PO Box 3000, Montague, PE  C0A 1R0

• You can express your wish to donate organs and tissues in writing when preparing your health care directive People are encouraged to speak to their families about their wishes

Newfoundland & Labrador

• Indicate your “Intent to Donate” organs and tissues by completing your Medical Care Plan (MCP) application or renewal form. The word “ORGAN DONOR” will appear on your MCP card.

• Learn about becoming a ‘Living Donor’ by contacting your local Kidney Transplant Program:
  
  Eastern, Central and Labrador – 709-777-3601
  Western NL – 709-6370-5000 ext. 6190

Remember: Speak to your family about your organ donation wishes.

Registering only takes a few minutes through the various provincial registries. Although 90% of Canadians polled indicate they are willing to be organ and tissue donors, registry numbers don’t reflect that. One registered organ donor could help up to eight people.

• It only takes 2 minutes of your time.

• We have all dreamed of being that hero who saves the day. Now you can check it off the bucket list.

• You will feel awesome!

You only need to register once in a lifetime but a decal on your driver’s license is no longer enough to ensure you’re registered as an organ donor. You will need your BC Personal Health number to register.

Your family makes the final decision on whether to donate your organs and tissues. Discussing your wishes with your family is more important than registering. If your family members are aware of your decision to donate, they are much more likely to know how to respond if faced with this difficult decision.

In Manitoba, registering as an organ donor is easy! Visit signupforlife.ca to register your intentions to be an organ donation, talk to your family and make your wishes known.

There Are Three Important Steps to Consider

• Think about it – discuss it with your support systems, do research, and make an informed decision you are comfortable with.

• Register to be a donor

• Talk to your family about your wishes

Your family makes the final decision on whether to donate your organs and tissues. Discussing your wishes with your family is more important than registering. If your family members are aware of your decision to donate, they are much more likely to know how to respond if faced with this difficult decision.

Talk to your family about your wishes. 

Register now to be an organ donor. Heroes aren’t made – they’re registered!

Register to be an organ and tissue donor - Two minutes can save a life

When one organ donor can save up to eight lives, registering your wishes to be an organ donor may be the greatest gift you ever give. If you are 16 years of age or older and have a valid Ontario Health Number, you can register your consent online to become an organ and tissue donor. By registering your consent, information about your donation decision will be available and accessible should it ever be required.

A signed donor card is not enough

Registering your wishes online at beadonor.ca is the only secure and guaranteed way to make your decision to save lives known. When you register your consent, your donation decision is recorded in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s database. In the event of your death or imminent death, when all life-saving efforts have failed, information about your decision can be shared with your family at so they can be made aware of your wishes.

Talk to your family about your wishes

In most provinces, the next-of-kin decides whether to donate their deceased loved one’s organs – for this reason, it is very important to discuss your decision to be an organ donor with your family.

Registering only takes a few minutes through the various provincial registries. Although 90% of Canadians polled indicate they are willing to be organ and tissue donors, registry numbers don’t reflect that. One registered organ donor could help up to eight people.

It is also very important to discuss organ donation with your family so that they know your wishes in case of your death.

The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec offers you two options for giving your consent.

• You can officialize your consent by entering it in the Régie's Registre des consentements au don d'organes et de tissus. To do so, fill out the form, which is mailed to you along with your Health Insurance Card renewal notice or which you can obtain from the Régie.

• You can also sign the consent sticker and affix it to the back of your Health Insurance Card. The sticker is sent to you along with your Health Insurance Card, for instance when you renew your card. You can also obtain the sticker at local community services centres (CLSC), hospitals and Services Québec offices.

You can also sign-up with the Registre des consentements au don d’organes et de tissues with the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

An exciting first for Saskatchewan residents! You can now register to be an organ and/or tissue donor online.

1. Any person 16 years or older with a valid Saskatchewan Health Services card can register

2. Visit www.givelifesask.ca

3. Register to be a donor online or by paper form. Paper forms need to be sent to: 2130 11th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 0J5

4. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions

Your family makes the final decision on whether to donate your organs and tissues. Discussing your wishes with your family is more important than registering. If your family members are aware of your decision to donate, they are much more likely to know how to respond if faced with this difficult decision.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of 75 people.

Organ Donors Save Lives - Register – Talk To Your Family