You need to register your decision to donate either online or at a motor vehicle registry office, even if you signed the back of your health care card, to ensure the information is recorded with Alberta Health.
Thousands of Canadians, including hundreds of Albertans, are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant; however, only 1-2% of people can be potential organ donors upon their death. It’s in the numbers: when more people donate, more lives are saved.
Did you know…
One organ donor can save up to 8 lives.
Each year, dozens of people in Alberta die while waiting for a transplant.
Did you know…
Almost everyone can be considered for tissue donation.
One tissue donor can help heal up to 75 people, with life-changing gifts such as eyes, bone, skin and heart valves.
Did you know…
You need to register your decision to donate.
Even if you’ve signed the back of your health care card, you need to register online or at a motor vehicle registry office to ensure the information is recorded with Alberta Health.
Did you know…
There are many myths about organ and tissue donation.
For example, “I’m too old or too unhealthy to donate.” The truth is, age or medical condition does not necessarily exclude you as a potential donor.
Remember, you can choose what is and isn’t donated. The donation process, and family involvement, is respectful and dignified.
Learn about the Donation Process
Deceased Donor
Living Donor
Heart
Replaces a full heart or damaged / diseased valves impacted by heart disease and other factors.
Lungs
Replaces lungs with severe damage caused by cystic fibrosis, emphysema and more.
Liver
Treats liver failure due to hepatitis B, cirrhosis and more.
Kidneys
Gives a healthy kidney to someone with severe chronic kidney disease.
Pancreas
Gives a healthy pancreas to make up for one that no longer produces insulin.
Intestine
Replaces part of a damaged small intestine, affected by severe Crohn’s disease and more.
Eyes
Replaces damaged cornea and sclera due to trauma or disease.
Skin
Speeds up healing process for serious burns, and can be life-saving.
Bones &
Tendons
Replaces bones destroyed by cancer and other trauma, and repairs joints using tendons.
Placenta
Aids in healing serious burns, sores and other wounds.
There can be many questions when it comes to donating organs and tissues. Our FAQs aim to educate and dispel myths.
Give Life Alberta (GLA) is the organ and tissue donation program in the province of Alberta, Canada. Services are provided using a collaborative approach by specialized teams in Edmonton and Calgary. GLA’s mission is to optimize patient and family care related to organ and tissue donation, to uphold responsible stewardship of the gifts of organs and tissues, and to enhance access to transplantation.
Successful inspections by Health Canada have demonstrated strict adherence to all transplantation safety standards.
Contact
Healthcare Professionals Only
For immediate assistance with matters relating to organ and tissue referral please call the University of Alberta Hospital Switchboard @ 780-407-8822 and ask for the on-call Donor Coordinator or contact CTC Tissue Specialist on-call via RAAPID at 780-735-0811.
General Inquiries Related to Organ and Tissue Donation
Give Life Alberta
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: 403-910-2801
Email: GiveLifeAlberta@ahs.ca
Living Donor Services Edmonton and Area
Telephone: 780-407-8698
Tollfree: 1-866-253-6833
Email: livingdonors@ahs.ca
Healthcare Professionals Only
For immediate assistance with matters relating to organ and tissue referral please call the Foothills Medical Centre, Main Switchboard @ 403-944-1110 and ask for the on-call Donor Coordinator to be paged.
General Inquiries Related to Organ and Tissue Donation
Give Life Alberta
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: 403-910-2801
Email: GiveLifeAlberta@ahs.ca
Living Donor Services Calgary and Area
Telephone: 403-944-4635
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