SNBTS Tissue Doner 8pp 9739:NHS Tissue Doner 8pp 9582

Tissue Donation
Saving lives...changing lives

Tissue donation – a life changer and saver
Imagine your child was born with a heart problem, and the
only answer was a donated heart valve, or you have a bad
accident and urgently need a bone graft. You probably would
not hesitate to make use of these medical marvels, but have
you ever thought about the donors who make such
operations possible? They are people who have thought
about what they would like to happen after their death, and
decided they would like to help other people in perhaps one
of the most meaningful and lasting ways possible. They are
tissue donors, in other words they have decided to allow
some of their tissues to be donated after their death so that
others can benefit.
Katy
Katy was born with a serious heart condition, she was
so sick that her parents were told that she would not
survive the next 48 hours.
She did survive and at nearly two years old she
underwent a heart valve transplant. Now Katy is a
bubbly, energetic three year old.
Katy's mum, Kim, said, “Somebody else made a
decision to donate their tissues, which in turn saved
Katy's life. I cannot thank them
enough.”

Nicky
Nicky, a 29 year old electrician, sustained extensive
burns to his hands and face when he was electrocuted
with 11,000 volts.
His burns needed to be covered immediately with
donor skin to help the healing process begin and
preserve as much of his own skin as possible.
Nicky says, "I cannot express the amount of gratitude
I have for the families who made it possible for me to
receive the donated skin, which has helped me to
return to normal life.”
What is tissue donation?
Every year hundreds of lives are saved with the help of
donated organs such as hearts and kidneys. But you may not
realise that donated tissues such as heart valves, tendons, skin
and corneas can dramatically improve the quality of life for
recipients, and even save lives.

Who can donate?
Some tissues can be donated during life, such as bone
removed as part of a routine surgical procedure which
otherwise would have been discarded. Other tissues are
donated after death, by people who have expressed a wish
during their lifetime to help others in this way. Often they
are registered on the Organ Donor Register or have discussed
their wishes with their family.
Many people can be considered for tissue donation after
death, as some tissues can be donated up to 48 hours
after a person has died. The tissues donated by one donor
may enable up to ten people to benefit from tissue
transplant surgery.
Everette
Everette, a 32 year old teacher, had a serious eye
condition that would eventually lead to blindness.
To restore his sight Everette had to
have two cornea transplants.
"The transplants have given
me both my sight and my life
back. I can see my children's
faces again and so much is
now possible. It is not only
me that has benefited, my
whole family shares it with me
and I am able to carry on
teaching, thanks to the
kindness of others."

Chris
Chris, a keen sports man, damaged the ligaments in
his knee whilst snowboarding. A donated tendon was
used to replace the ligament. Within six months
Chris was back playing tennis and snowboarding
a year on.
"I know that the transplant was not life-saving but it
is the difference between living and loving life. My
knee feels stronger today than before the accident,
I am lucky to have been given this opportunity."
Can anyone donate tissues?
Discussing your wishes with your family, joining the organ
donor register and carrying a donor card are important steps
to take. At the time of your death, they make it easier for the
subject of tissue donation to be raised and discussed. Many
people can be considered for tissue donation following death.
In order to ensure that donated tissues are as safe as possible,
the donor’s medical and behavioural history is reviewed in a
similar way as that of blood donors. This reduces the risk of
transmitting disease to a patient. A blood sample is taken
from the donor and tested for viruses including HIV and
hepatitis. Family interviews are carried out by specially trained
Tissue Donor and Donor Transplant Co-ordinators, who try to
carry out the wishes of the donor and their family.

Why donate?
Tissue transplantation offers huge benefits to many people,
relieving their pain, helping them to see, or walk again, or
return to work. A tissue transplant can even save lives.
Donation of tissues, especially in cases when organ donation
is not possible, can offer the opportunity for families to fulfil
their loved one’s wishes. Many bereaved families take comfort
in the knowledge that their loved one has helped others in
this way.
What tissues can be donated after death?
Many kinds of tissues can be donated after death.
These include:
Heart valves can be transplanted to save the lives of
patients, including young children born with deformed
hearts, or suffering from diseased or damaged valves.
Tendons can be used to restore mobility in patients with
badly damaged knee joints, usually following sporting injuries.
Corneas can be transplanted into patients suffering from
severe eye disease or injury. Sometimes the sclera, the white
outer coat of the eye, is also transplanted during
reconstructive eye surgery.
Skin can help save the lives of severely burned victims, but it
can take many donations of skin to treat just one such patient.
Other tissues may be donated in specific circumstances
depending on clinical requirements.
Can tissues be donated just for
medical research purposes?
It is sometimes possible to donate tissues just for medical
research. But only if that is the express wish of the donor
and their family.

Martyn
Martyn
Martyn was a genuine, caring, fun-loving and gifted young
man with a lot to look forward to. At just 24 years old, his life
ended suddenly in a road traffic accident. In the hours after
his death his family kindly offered to help
others through donation.
"Martyn had a donor card since he was
nine years old and I am glad that he
was able to be a donor. The fact that
our loss helped so many others has
brought us some comfort. He was simply
the best," said his mum, Maureen,
pictured above with the rest
of the family.
His girlfriend Vicki
added, "Martyn
would have
helped anyone,
and I am proud
that he carried
on doing that
after he died."

I’d like to help, what should I do?
Tell your family
If you would like to help others after your death, please make
your wishes known to your family or next of kin.
Join the NHS Organ Donor Register
You can register with the NHS Organ Donor Register
by calling 0300 123 23 23.
Carry a Donor Card
Visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk to get a Donor Card
and enter your details on the register.
Contact details
Tel. 0845 90 90 999
or visit
www.scotblood.co.uk
This publication can also be made available in
large print, braille (English only),
audio tape and in different languages.
If you would like further information contact
The Public Affairs Department
Tel. 0141 357 7752
Ref. No. TSD LFT 001
Version 02
Date Published 11/10