Official information and services: belgium.be
As a hero, it's important to be able to make the right choices. Explore the DonorHero universe to discover information that will be useful to you. Click on the screen to move your hero.
A Law that is almost 40 years old
In Belgium, there is an organ donation law that has existed for a very long time, since June 1986 to be precise. It is almost forty years old!
So, what is the story behind this law? If someone lives in Belgium, or has been officially registered there for six months or more, the law presumes that this person agrees to donate their organs after death. It’s a super heroic way to leave a positive mark behind, by helping other people live a better life.
Everyone can choose
If you don’t feel comfortable with this idea, don’t panic! The law allows you to say “No, thank you” by registering in a national registry. You can say yes or no, and you can even change your mind later if you wish. It is like officially stating what you want to do with your organs after your death. It is important to communicate this choice to the doctors who want to know if you wish to help others with a healthy organ at the end of your life.
Talk about it with your loved ones
If nothing is registered in this registry, doctors will ask the family what the wishes of the deceased person were. This is often a difficult conversation, especially during sad times. So, it’s a good idea to think about this and discuss it with your family.
How to register?
Since July 1, 2020, it’s even easier to share your choice. Your parents can register their wishes in their municipality, with their doctor, or even online on the MaSanté.be website! What about children? If you have already chosen, you can also register it in the main register by going to the municipality with your parents or guardian. And if you haven’t made a choice yet, be aware that your parents can tell the municipality that they object to you becoming a donor, but as soon as you are an adult, it is your choice that counts.
