Who can donate organs?

Organ donors can be living or deceased (cadaveric donors). Living donors can donate only a few organs, namely one of their two kidneys (as one kidney is capable of maintaining the body functions), a portion of pancreas (as half of the pancreas is adequate for sustaining pancreatic functions) and a part of liver (as the few segments that are donated will regenerate after a period of time). On the other hand, all the organs listed above and heart, as well as tissues can be donated in “Brain-Dead” persons. Brain death is the irreversible and permanent cessation of all brain functions, when brain can no longer send messages to the body to perform vital functions like breathing, sensation, obeying commands etc. Such persons are kept on artificial support (ventilation) to maintain oxygenation of organs so that the organs are in a healthy condition until they are removed. Most cases of brain death are the end result of head injuries or terminally ill patients of brain tumor from Intensive Care Units.