There are many different organs and tissues that are urgently required.

Cornea: when it comes to improving vision, corneal transplants have an 85 to 90% success rate. They are among the most often performed transplants.

Hearts: A donated heart can make the difference between life and death for someone. At the very least, a new heart vastly improves the patient's quality of life. Current follow-up shows that 80% of heart recipients will be well and active five years after the operation.

Lungs: Donated lungs usually go to people suffering from cystic fibrosis and other, often fatal lung conditions.

Kidneys: Usually a donor shares his or her two kidneys with two recipients. People need only one functioning kidney to lead a normal life. 80 to 90 per cent of kidney transplants are successful.

Liver: The only cure for liver failure is a liver transplant. Liver recipients have an 80% rate of success.

Pancreas: A new pancreas may reduce the need for insulin injections for diabetic patients.

Bone: Bone that has been destroyed by tumors or infections can be replaced with healthy bone grafts, saving limbs that would otherwise have to be amputated.

Skin: Donated skin is most often used to speed up the healing process for severe burn cases.

Heart valves: Heart valves are used to replace diseased or damaged valves in adults and children.