Organ donation takes healthy organs from one person and transplants them into another person, allowing the recipient a better quality of life. A person may be eligible to become an organ donor in two ways:

• Before declaring death on individuals who suffer severe brain damage, a physician will perform a series of tests to determine the patient’s brain function. If the physician determines that all brain activity has ceased, the patient becomes eligible to provide life to those on the transplant waiting list by donating their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas or small intestine.
• After all lifesaving measures have been exhausted and doctors determine that the patient cannot experience a meaningful recovery, the family — knowing their loved one’s wishes — can decide to remove life-sustaining measures such as a ventilator. Many families know that their loved one did not want to live in such a state and opt to let their loved one pass peacefully. In this situation, the patient may be eligible to provide lifesaving organs to those on the waiting list for a lifesaving gift as well.