Explanation for next of kin
What can you expect if your loved one wants to donate their organs and/or tissues after death? Read the explanation and watch the animations.
Organ donation: what can you expect?
When you hear that a loved one is going to pass away soon, a lot comes at you. The doctor may have already explained organ donation. Read everything again at your leisure here or watch the explanation in the video. This way you know what to expect as a family.
Tissue donation: what can you expect?
Your loved one has just passed away. A lot is happening, perhaps the doctor has already spoken with you about tissue donation. Read everything again here or watch the video with an explanation.
Guidance during tissue donation
In tissue donation, the doctor who is guiding you at that moment will explain how everything goes. This can also be the general practitioner. Would you like to know the results of the donation? Tell this to your doctor. You will then receive a letter from the NTS after about 1 week stating which tissues have been donated and the folder After tissue donation. You will not receive any personal details of the recipient(s). That remains anonymous. That is stipulated by law.
Guidance during organ donation
Throughout the donation procedure, you will be in contact with the organ donation coordinator (ODC). She will keep you informed of the course of the procedure. The ODC will contact you in about 6 to 8 weeks, and can then tell you which organs have been successfully transplanted. He can also tell you the age category and gender of the recipient. You will not receive any personal details of the recipient(s). That remains anonymous. That is stipulated by law.
Write a thank-you letter
It happens that a recipient of a donor organ wants to send a thank-you letter to the surviving relatives of the donor. Conversely, surviving relatives can also write something to the recipient.
These letters are always anonymous and are checked in advance. The organ donation coordinator who guides you during the procedure will discuss in advance whether you are open to such a letter.
