When we hear about organ donation, we usually think of the heart, kidneys, liver or lungs. But tissue donation is another important part of transplantation and can improve the lives of many people.

Tissues can help repair the body, restore function and support recovery after serious illness or injury.

What Tissues Can Be Donated?

Depending on medical suitability, tissues that may be donated after death include:

Corneas – can help restore sight in people with corneal blindness.
Skin – can be used to help patients with severe burns and certain wounds.
Bone – can help in reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries.
Tendons and ligaments – can help repair damaged joints and restore movement.
Heart valves – can be used in some patients with serious heart conditions.
Blood vessels – may help patients requiring certain vascular or cardiac procedures.

Not every donor can provide every type of tissue. Medical specialists carefully assess the donor and determine what can safely and appropriately be used.

How Can One Donor Help Several People?

One of the remarkable things about tissue donation is that different tissues can be used for different patients.

For example, the corneas may help someone regain sight, while donated bone or tendons may help another person recover from an injury. Skin may help a burn patient heal.

Some tissues can also be carefully processed and preserved in specialised tissue banks, allowing them to be provided to patients when needed.

Does Tissue Donation Affect the Last Rites?

Tissue recovery is performed by trained medical professionals with respect and dignity. The body is carefully prepared afterwards, and families can continue with their funeral and religious traditions.

For many families, knowing that their loved one’s tissues may help others can bring a sense of meaning during an incredibly difficult time.

More Than a Donation

Tissue donation is not only about medical treatment. It can mean sight for someone who cannot see, healing for someone with severe burns, movement for someone with an injury, or a healthier future for someone facing a serious medical condition.

We often think of donation as giving a life-saving organ.

But sometimes, giving tissue can help someone rebuild their life.

A final gift can become someone else’s ability to see, heal, move and live better.

Learn about tissue donation. Talk to your family. Share your decision.