Save lives by
registering to donate
Give Life Alberta is dedicated to increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation – and access to life-saving transplants.
Why it matters
Organ and tissue donation can save and improve lives across Alberta.
1
organ donor can save up to
8
lives
500+
Albertans waiting for life-saving transplants
1
tissue donor helps up to
75
people
Taking the next step
Get the information and support you need to take the next step.
What can be donated?
Remember, you can choose what is and isn't donated.
The donation process, and family involvement, is respectful and dignified.
Legend: 
Deceased donor 
Living donor
Heart
Replaces a full heart or damaged / diseased valves impacted by heart disease and other factors.
Lungs
Replaces lungs with severe damage caused by cystic fibrosis, emphysema and more.
Liver
Treats liver failure due to hepatitis B, cirrhosis and more.
Kidneys
Gives a healthy kidney to someone with severe chronic kidney disease.
Pancreas
Gives a healthy pancreas to make up for one that no longer produces insulin.
Intestines
Replaces part of a damaged small intestine, affected by severe Crohn's disease and more.
Eyes
Replaces damaged cornea and sclera due to trauma or disease.
Skin
Speeds up healing process for serious burns, and can be life-saving.
Bones & tendons
Replaces bones destroyed by cancer and other trauma, and repairs joints using tendons.
Placenta
Aids in healing serious burns, sores and other wounds.
Stories of hope
Zachary Trimm's road test was scheduled for his 16th birthday. Instead, he donated his organs that day, saving five lives.
Shawnee Brave Rock’s Blackfoot name is Itspaikitsstakiaakii, meaning High Holy Offering Woman. When the young mother of four passed away, her mother chose to donate her organs so Shawnee could bless other lives.
Karter’s parents refused to let him pass away for no reason; they wanted their tragedy to help others. Karter's heart valves saved two babies who had heart defects.
Frequently Asked Questions
There can be many questions when it comes to donating organs and tissues. Our FAQs aim to educate and dispel myths.
Most religions support organ and tissue donation as a life-saving act. If you are unsure, please talk to your spiritual leader or advisor.
There is no cost for organ and tissue donation to the donor or to the donor's family. The provincial healthcare system covers all medical expenses. Organ and tissue donation is considered an act of altruistic generosity. It is illegal to buy someone’s organs or tissues in Canada.
Yes. If you donate your whole body to research or medical education, your organs and tissues cannot be used for transplantation. Arrangements for total body donation must be made prior to death, as registration is required. Please visit these links:
Edmonton: Anatomy | Department of Surgery
Awareness events
APRIL 7, 2027
Green Shirt Day
The Canada-wide Green Shirt Day honours the legacy of Logan Boulet, a young hockey player from Lethbridge who died in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Logan saved six lives through organ donation - inspiring 150,000 Canadians to register to be a donor, known as the Logan Boulet Effect.
APRIL 18-24, 2027
National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Week
National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW) raises awareness of the critical need for more donors across the country, and encourages Canadians to register their decision and talk to their loved ones about organ and tissue donation.
SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2026
Living Donation Week
Living Donation Week celebrates the selfless people who step up to save lives by donating a kidney or a lobe of their liver, and raises awareness of the critical need for more living donors across Canada.
OCTOBER 2026
Orgtober: October
Every October, Canadian Blood Services hosts Orgtober, an age-appropriate educational campaign in elementary schools about organ and tissue functions and the fundamental values of donation (kindness, compassion, and inclusivity). Give Life Alberta participates in Orgtober by bringing the book, The Ant Who Needed a Transplant, to Edmonton-area schools.
Leadership
Deanna Paulson is the Interim Managing Director of Give Life Alberta. She is a registered nurse with a Master’s degree in Health Studies and decades of experience in leadership roles in emergency, intensive care, organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Deanna was on the committee which created the original standards for donation and transplantation across Canada and is currently a member of the National Donation and Transplant System Operators Advisory Committee, representing the prairie provinces.
