Deceased Donation

Right now, approximately 4,400 Canadians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant

Unfortunately, not everyone in need of a vital organ will receive one. In fact, an average of 250 Canadians die each year while waiting for an organ transplant.

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"When my daughters and I were presented with the option of my wife, Lynda, being an organ donor, no discussion was needed. We all knew immediately that if there was a possibility of even one person being able to resume a normal life because of, and despite, our personal tragedy, it was the right thing to do. Although I have not come to terms with the “why” of Lynda’s death, the knowledge that others were able to resume a full life with family and friends has been a personal joy to me. It brings some sense to what happened."

– Outlon Family, husband and daughters of a deceased donor

Register as an Organ and/or Tissue Donor

We encourage all Islanders to register their decision to become an organ and tissue donor and to share their choices with their family and loved ones. Since its inception in the fall of 2015, over 50,000 Islanders (and counting) have said yes to becoming an organ and/or tissue donor.

It is crucial that your loved ones know your decision to be an organ donor so that they can honor and support your wishes.

In Canada, there are two ways to become a deceased organ donor,

and both options are available to Islanders:

Neurological Determination of Death

NDD, also referred to as "brain death," means the brain has permanently lost all function and death has been determined using neurological criteria.

Donation After Circulatory Death

DCD is an option for patients who have severe brain injuries that do not meet the criteria for brain death. Once a decision to remove all life-sustaining treatments has been made, organ donation may be offered to the family. Everything will be put in place before treatments are removed so that once the person's heart stops beating and they have experienced circulatory death, organ retrieval can begin.

Deceased Donation FAQs

01 - What happens when I die and I have indicated that I want to be an organ donor?

To become an organ donor, you must die in a hospital while on life support and have an irreversible brain injury. If you meet these criteria, you will be referred to the Organ Donor Coordinator in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Moncton, New Brunswick. The coordinator will review your medical history and current health to determine if you could be a donor. If you are medically suitable, health care professionals will check the Intent to Donate Registry to confirm your wishes. Your family will be asked to support your decision or, if you have not made one, they will be asked to decide for you. If your family supports the option to donate, an organ donor coordinator will discuss the donation process with them, obtain consent, and ask questions regarding your social and medical history.

If donation remains a possibility, your body will be transferred to Halifax or Moncton where tests will be conducted to ensure you can be a donor. Your organs will be matched with recipients through a national transplant waiting list using a standardized process. Your family members can travel to Halifax or Moncton if they wish, or remain on PEI. Once recipients are found, your body will be taken to the operating room. The organs are recovered and transported to the recipient centers for transplantation. If you can donate tissue, that recovery is performed after the organ recovery. Following the procedure, your body is transported to your chosen funeral home at no extra cost to your family.

02 - If my family decides to travel to Halifax or Moncton, will they receive financial support?

There is some financial support available to families who decide to travel to be with their loved ones until the donation takes place. Hospital foundations can provide Confederation Bridge passes, gas cards, and meal vouchers to families. It can take 24 to 48 hours to complete the required tests, find recipients, and arrange the organ retrieval.

03 - Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if I am a known donor?

No. Your health care team’s first priority is to save your life. Only if it is not possible to save your life will the opportunity to save another life through donation be explored. Strict laws exist to protect potential donors, and legal guidelines must be strictly followed before death can be certified. The physician certifying a patient’s death is entirely separate from the organ procurement and transplant process.

04 - Will the recipient be told who donated the organs? Will my family be told who received my organs?

Some families may want to communicate with the organ or tissue transplant recipients and share some information about their loved one. Writing to a recipient is a deeply personal decision, and the timing of when you write (if at all) may vary. What feels right for you may not be right for someone else. It may be possible to have direct contact with transplant recipients at least one year post-transplant. Any communication will be coordinated through your family support liaison.

05 - Why are the families of potential donors asked so quickly if they would like to donate? Can’t the question be asked at a later time?

We understand that losing a loved one is a profoundly stressful and sorrowful time; however, to ensure that organs and tissues remain healthy and viable, the recovery must take place as soon as possible. Because it can take 24 to 48 hours to complete the required tests, find recipients, and arrange the retrieval, starting the process early significantly increases the likelihood of a successful transplant. Most families also find comfort in knowing that a wonderful and selfless act can emerge from such a tragic loss.

06 - Who do I contact for more information about deceased organ donation?

Email: organandtissue@gov.pe.ca

Phone: 902-368-5920

Mailing Address:

Organ and Tissue Donation

Shaw Building (4th Floor)

95 Rochford St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 3T5

07 - What if I want to donate my body to medical education and research in PEI?

If you are considering donating your body to support medical education and research, you can register with UPEI’s Anatomical Gift Program in the Faculty of Medicine.

This program accepts whole-body donations to support hands-on training for medical students and other health care learners. This type of learning is essential and cannot be fully replaced by textbooks, simulations, or anatomical models.

By choosing to become a donor, you are helping future health professionals develop the clinical skills, professionalism, and compassion they need to provide high-quality care. All donors are treated with the utmost respect and dignity, and each donation leaves a lasting legacy to health care education and research in Prince Edward Island and beyond.

For detailed information about eligibility, registration, and next steps, please visit UPEI’s Anatomical Gift Program.

You can also contact the program directly:

Email: anatomicalgift@upei.ca

Phone: 902-626-4855