Organ donation is not an issue that we spend much time thinking about. That is, until we or one of our nearest and dearest unexpectedly depends on the selfless gift of a stranger to continue our existence.

Then it suddenly becomes very important. Currently there are over 3000 South Africans desperately in need of organ and tissue transplants; less than 1500 of them will receive a transplant in the next year.

According to Philippa Douglas, executive director at the non-profit Organ Donor Foundation, the critical shortage of organs stems largely from a lack of education.

"Lack of education is a huge challenge as transplantation is a relatively new concept (last 40 years) and has never formed part of any school or university education. So unless your life has been touched by someone needing an organ transplant, people often don’t know too much about it."

In South Africa, the passage of time is hardly improving matters. In 2005 there were 1084 organ and cornea transplants. This number had dropped to 688 (of which 400 were cornea transplants) by 2007.

Who can become a donor?

Anyone who is under the age of 70 and in good health can become a donor. Good health means that you can't have cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, or HIV/Aids.

If you suffer from a specific medical condition, this doesn't automatically mean that you are unfit to become a donor, as you can still donate any unaffected organs or tissue.

No religions specifically forbid organ donation, as it is in line with the principle of 'life preservation', however if you suspect that it might go against your religious beliefs, it is a good idea to speak to your spiritual leader about it.

What does it involve?

All potential donors are patients on life-support systems. After the patient is certified brain dead, the organs are removed while the patient is still on the support system.

Brain death occurs when both the brain and the brain stem stop functioning. It is usually caused by a traumatic incident such as drowning, a ruptured blood vessel or trauma to the head.

Organs need to be removed as soon as possible after death to ensure successful transplantation. When you are on life support, your heart will continue to beat even when you are technically dead.

There is a difference between heart-beating and non-heart-beating donors. Heart-beating donors — those on life support — are able to donate solid organs (heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas) and tissue. But if your heart has stopped beating — for example, if you die at the scene of an accident or at home — you are only able to donate tissue (corneas, skin, heart valves and bone marrow) which can be procured for up to 12 hours after death.

Once permission has been given by your family, a team of surgeons will remove the organs and tissue which you have chosen to donate.

Organ transplants are carried out in both private and government hospitals. It won't cost you or your family anything. There will also be no form of compensation for your organs and the recipient will never know your identity.

What do you need to do?

Should you decide that you want to become an organ donor, these are the steps that you need to follow.

• Call the Organ Donor Foundation on 0800 22 66 11 or visit their website at www.odf.org.za.
• Register as an organ donor and you will be sent information as well as an organ donor card and two stickers — one for your driver's licence and one for your ID book. If you want to, you can get a donor bracelet through Medic Alert on +27 21 425 7328.
• Tell your family about your decision to become an organ donor as they will need to give permission before your organs can be removed in the event of your death.

There is no official organ donor register in South Africa and therefore no central database. Because of the National Health Act of 2003, your family needs to give their permission before you organs can be removed. If, at any point, you decide that you don't want to be a donor, you can simply tear up your donor card, remove the stickers and tell your family that you have changed your mind.