Basically, anyone can donate organs - there is no upper or lower age limit for organ donors. Instead, it is the health of the donor which determines whether organ donation is feasible. Prior to removing any organs, a detailed investigation is carried out to ensure that the organs are functional and suitable for transplantation.

Donor organs are allocated in accordance with the Transplantation Act and the applicable organ allocation regulations. The primary criteria for allocation are medical urgency, medical benefit and time on the waiting list (see "Laws and regulations" under Downloads).

The donor and recipients remain anonymous. This is intended to protect the family of the donor as well as the recipients from any added encumbrances. However, recipients can send an anonymous letter of appreciation to the donor's family via Swisstransplant.

In addition to the option to donate organs, it is also possible to donate one's body to science after death for research use by a medical institute. If you select both options, organ donation will always have the higher priority.

Bone marrow can be taken only from living donors. For more information or a brochure, please contact:

Swiss Blood stem cells
Laupenstrasse 37
3001 Bern
Tel: 031 380 81 51
http://www.bloodstemcells.ch

Brain death involves complete and irreversible failure of the functioning of the brain. Possible causes include massive cerebral haemorrhaging, a severe craniocerebral injury, cerebral vascular ailments, brain tumours and lack of oxygen. Brain death is declared by doctors who work independently of the transplantation team. Cessation of all brain functioning is verified through repeated neurological tests in compliance with the guidelines of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS).

Since 1 July 2007, an "extended consent solution" has been in effect throughout Switzerland. The prerequisite for removal of organs is either the presence of the consent of the person making the donation or - if the person did not make any particular request - the next of kin.

The only contraindications against organ donation are malignant tumours, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or an untreatable sepsis (presence of bacteria in the blood). Even donors with HIV and hepatitis can be considered. Every case is examined by a team of doctors.

The recipient's basic health insurance coverage is responsible for paying the costs incurred by the organ recipient as well as the donor. Unreimbursed costs are covered by the hospital in which the transplant was performed. Naturally, the donor's family does not have to pay anything for removal of the organ(s).

The donor card can be used to indicate whether organs, tissue or cells may be removed in case of death and if so, which ones. Anyone who is at least 16 years old can make a declaration of this sort. A donor declaration can be rescinded by either modifying or destroying the donor card. In every case, however, the family is informed accordingly. What is important is that potential donors should inform their family members about their desires.

Even though the old donor cards remain valid, we are recommending that persons who previously filled out a donor card should replace the old version with the new one. The basis for the expression of volition found on the new card is described in Article 8 of the Transplantation Act.

Immunosuppressants are medications which reduce the functioning of the immune system to help prevent rejection of a transplanted organ. Like all medications, immunosuppressants have side-effects and risks. Most immunosuppressants are not very selective, meaning the body's defence mechanisms are restricted which can boost the risk of infections.

It is possible for living donors to give up a kidney or part of their liver. Living donations most commonly occur among family members. However, altruistic donations also exist in which one person gives up a kidney or part of their liver in an anonymous and undirected manner, meaning they do not specify who will receive the organ.

No prior medical examination is required to fill out the donor identification.

Organ removal is performed by surgeons in a normal operating room. Removal of organs does not alter the appearance of the deceased, except that a scar from the operation will be present. The body is transferred to the family after the surgery.

The following organs can be donated: Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, islets of Langerhans and small intestine.

The donor identification is also valid outside of Switzerland. If you are not carrying your identification, the laws of the relevant country will apply. In any case, the family members will be contacted.

Swisstransplant works in close cooperation with various transplantation organisations outside of Switzerland which adhere to the same ethical and legal principles. If there is no suitable recipient for an organ in Switzerland, we offer it to our partner organisations and vice versa.

Naturally, organ donation is possible only if the donor has been declared dead beyond all doubt, i.e. either through brain death or cardiac arrest, and the necessary consent to donate organs also exists.

All of the world's major religions have spoken out clearly in favour of organ donation in the name of altruism and humanity.

The waiting time varies depending on the required organ, the state of health and the urgency of the person who is waiting. The actual time ranges from a few days to years. Due to a shortage of organs in Switzerland, lawmakers are working to ensure that all available organs are distributed as fairly as possible.

The following tissue types can be donated: Cornea, ossicles, bones, heart valves, blood vessels, skin, marrow and blood.

A transplantation is a type of surgery that involves replacing a faulty organ with a healthy one that was removed from a living or deceased donor. Organ transplants are considered only for patients who have exhausted all other possible medical therapies.