Organ donation is an expression of great social and humanitarian solidarity. For the countless people awaiting a transplant, organ donation is synonymous with hope.
Organ donation for transplantation purposes can be done by both deceased and living donors.
In Quebec, organ donation from a deceased donor is possible in only two circumstances: after brain death and, in rarer cases, after cardiocirculatory (or cardiovascular) death. In all cases, it involves someone with a severe brain injury and no chance for survival.
Living persons may also choose to help others by donating one of their kidneys or part of their liver.