When you hear the word 'donate' you may immediately think of the Donor Register, but you can also mean a lot to someone else by donating something during your life. Even poo.
Chances are you have thought about whether you want to become an organ donor. When you received a call from the government when you were eighteen to record your choice, for example. Or at the beginning of 2018, when the House of Representatives decided to switch to an 'active donor registration system'. From 2020, the name of everyone who does not record a choice in the Donor Register will be 'no objection'.
Read more about the law.
But even when you are alive you can donate everything:hair, blood, a kidney, urine and even feces. Why would you do that? To help someone who is or has been sick. Need more reasons? In many cases you will receive a medical examination before donation. This way you immediately know how your own health is doing. And according to Finnish research, donating blood twice a year reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer.
But what can actually be donated and how does it work?
In the January issue of Santé you will find an overview of what you can donate while alive. Includes a handy overview of where to sign up if you're interested.
