Donorgegevens

Donorgegevens, or donor data, refers to information collected about individuals who are registered as donors or who have donated organs, tissues, or blood. This data can include personal identifiers (such as name, date of birth and contact details), health information (blood type, infectious disease history, medical suitability), consent status, donation preferences, and records of donation or transplantation outcomes. It may also involve identifiers used to coordinate donation processes and trace donations through the system.

The collection and use of donorgegevens serve several purposes. They enable screening and matching of donors with recipients, ensure safe and timely donation and transplantation activities, support traceability and quality assurance, and fulfill reporting obligations to health authorities. Data may also be used for approved research or public health purposes, provided appropriate consent and safeguards are in place.

Legal framework and data protection are central. In the European Union, donor data is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), supplemented by national laws such as the Dutch AVG where applicable. Processing must have a lawful basis (such as consent or legitimate interest), respect purpose limitation and data minimization, and uphold data security and transparency. Donors and patients typically have rights to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or port their data, and to withdraw consent where applicable.

Data sharing occurs with authorized entities, including organ procurement organizations, transplant centers, blood services, and health authorities, and may involve cross-border transfers with appropriate safeguards. Retention periods depend on regulatory requirements and the purpose of processing. Ensuring data quality, security, and clear governance is essential to protect donor privacy while enabling life-saving medical activities.