A guide to becoming an organ donor

Every day across the UK three people die waiting for an organ transplant.

Currently there are around 6,500 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant.

As part of Organ Donation Week, ITV News met two-year-old Monica Nar who has been waiting for a kidney transplant for eight months.

Monica was born with kidney failure and after suffering complete renal failure she had to have her kidneys removed at just three-months-old.

As a result she has to undergo dialysis three times a week while she waits for a donation and cannot do many of the things that other children her age enjoy.

Monica has to undergo dialysis three times a week. Credit: ITV News

Here's a guide to the different ways it's possible to donate:

Living Donation

People can choose to donate organs in the event of their death or - along with blood - people can donate their kidneys, liver, and tissue while they are alive.

Living donation requires major surgery, but potential donors are carefully assessed to determine their suitability and results have proved successful.

  • Kidneys - Around a third of all kidney transplants in the UK are donated by a living person as a healthy person can lead a normal life with one

  • Liver - Part of a liver from a living person can be donated because the liver can regenerate itself, although this is less common than living kidney donation

  • Tissue - those undergoing hip operations can donate part of their thigh bone, while amniotic membrane (part of the placenta) can be donated after caesarian section to be used in eye operations

To donate an organ email [enquiries@nhsbt.nhs.uk](mailto: enquiries@nhsbt.nhs.uk) or contact your local transplant centre

To donate tissue email tissue.donation@nhsbt.nhs.uk or contact the National Referral Centre on 0800 432 0559.

Deceased Donation

Giving organs and tissue after your death can help someone live or improve their health and quality of life.

You can choose to donate:

  • Kidneys

  • Heart

  • Liver

  • Lungs

  • Pancreas

  • Small bowel

  • Corneas

  • Tissue

Click here if you want to join the NHS Organ Donor Register

The NHS "strongly suggests" people tell their family and friends whether or not they want to be an organ donor in the event of their death.

Visit the NHS Organ Donation website for more information.