Organs and tissuesOrgans that can be donated for transplantation include the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and pancreas.                  Bone
Following death bone can be donated and used for reconstructive surgery for people with severe trauma or cancer of the bone.
Bone can be donated up to the age of 50 years for females and 65 years for males. Kidneys
Kidney transplantation allows people whose own kidneys have stopped functioning to lead normal lives again without having to be dependent on dialysis treatment. Dialysis is a process that removes waste products and fluids from the blood stream that are normally removed by healthy kidneys.
Kidney transplantation is very successful with 92% of all kidneys functioning one year after the transplant operation and 73% after five years. For further information, please contact the Kidney Transplant Units Eyes for Corneal Donation
Corneal transplantation can prevent blindness and restore sight to people with disease, trauma or infection to their cornea. Vision can be severely affected when these conditions cause the cornea to be cloudy, scarred or distorted in shape. If not treated by transplantation blindness can occur. The New Zealand National Eye Bank in Auckland can store the corneas for up to three weeks before being transplanted in hospitals throughout New Zealand.
For further information, please contact the New Zealand National Eye Bank Lungs
Lung transplantation allows people whose own lungs are severely damaged by disease, such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema, to return to a normal, active life.
The survival rate for lung transplantation is approximately 80% of recipients alive after one year and 40% after five years. For further information, please contact the Heart and lung transplant service Heart
Heart transplantation enables people with severely damaged heart muscle to return to active lives again. These people would die without a transplant.
Approximately 10 people receive a heart transplant in New Zealand each year. The success of heart transplantation is very good with approximately 86% of recipients alive after one year and 75% alive after five years. For further information please contact the Heart and Lung Transplant Service Heart valves
Heart valve transplantation is required by people who have a heart valve that has been damaged by disease such as rheumatic fever or from a congenital condition.
Babies born with abnormal or missing heart valves, sometimes in association with other heart defects, often require surgery including insertion of a new heart valve within the first year of their life in order to survive. Donated heart valves can be stored for a number of months until they are transplanted. Liver
Liver transplantation is a successful treatment for people with end stage liver failure. The most common cause of liver failure in New Zealand is caused by hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Approximately 35 people receive a liver transplant in New Zealand each year with 95% of those transplanted alive and well after one year, and 87% after five years. For further information, please contact the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit (NZLTU) Pancreas
For some people with insulin-dependent diabetes and kidney failure a successful combined pancreas and kidney transplant will mean that these people will no longer need insulin or dialysis treatment.
Approximately six people receive a pancreas and kidney transplant each year in New Zealand. For further information, please contact the Auckland Renal Transplant Group (ARTG) Skin
Donated skin is used as a natural dressing for people with severe burns. Skin tissue promotes healing, reduces infection and fluid loss and is the preferred treatment for patients with severe burns. Donated skin can be stored for up to one year before it is transplanted.
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