Canadian Armed Forces Military Personnel Instruction 10/04 – Organ and Bone Marrow Donation: Canadian Armed Forces Members

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2004-04-23

Date of Modification: 2024-12-01

Application: This Instruction applies to officers and non-commissioned members (NCM) of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF Members).

Supersession: CFMO 29-29, Organ and Bone Marrow Donation: Members of the Canadian Forces

Approval Authority: Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)

Enquiries: Administrative Response Centre (ARC)

2. Policy Direction – Organ Donation

Policy Statement

2.1 CAF members have the same freedom to donate organs as other Canadians. Although a member of the CAF will not normally be prohibited from donating an organ or bone marrow, the absence of such a prohibition should not be construed as constituting official approval. Upon receipt of a request from a living member of the CAF to donate an organ or bone marrow the potential donor will be counselled/briefed by both a Medical Officer and a Legal Officer. Following an organ or bone marrow donation an appropriate period of sick leave will be authorized for the recovery period.

Statement of Understanding

2.2 Annex A is a copy of the Statement of Understanding form. It will be reproduced locally and, when completed, distributed as follows:

1. The signed form is to be retained in the CF 2034, Medical Envelope Insert.
2. A copy must be sent to the member's Commanding Officer together with an estimate of the amount of time that the member may be required to be away from work.

Medical and Legal Briefings

2.3 A Medical Officer and a Legal Officer prior to an organ or bone transplant operation will brief members. Details to be covered during these briefings are contained in Annex B.

Sick Leave

2.4 Current regulations and procedures governing sick leave will be followed for post-procedure convalescence and for any complications arising therefrom. Questions may be addressed to Canadian Forces Health Services Group Headquarters (CF H Svcs Gp HQ), Deputy Chief of Staff Medical Policy (DCOS Med Pol).

Associated Costs – Surgical/Hospitalization

2.5 All provinces have agreed that the surgical/hospitalization costs of a donor are a part of the recipient's medical costs and will be paid by the medical plans of the provinces concerned. In the event hospitalization costs of a CAF member are not paid by the province concerned or by another organization, the costs will be borne by the Department of National Defence (DND) within the limits of QR&O 34.07, Entitlement to Medical Care.

Associated Costs – Deceased Member to a Non-Member

2.6 All costs associated with the donation of an organ from a deceased CAF member to a non-CAF member will be the responsibility of the province in which the recipient of the organ resides.

Associated Costs – Recipient is a CAF Member

2.7 When a member of the CAF is the recipient of a donated organ, DND will bear all costs associated with the organ removal and implantation.

3. Policy Direction – Bone Marrow Donation

Coordination and Guidelines

3.1 Most bone marrow donations are coordinated through the Canadian Blood Services, Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry. When an individual is selected as a potential donor, a medical examination must be completed to confirm physical eligibility to participate. This examination is to be completed by a CF Medical Officer at no cost to the individual in accordance with QR&O 34.07.

4. Responsibilities

Responsibilities Table 

4.1 The table below describes the responsibilities related to this instruction.

5. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Associated DAOD

• QR&O 34.07, Entitlement to Medical Care

Other References

• Canadian Blood Services, Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry
• CF 2034, Medical Envelope Insert (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Medical Directive 1-02, Extended Sick Leave Requests (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)
• Medical Directive 1-03, Organ and Bone Marrow Donations (this document can only be accessed on the DWAN)

6. Annexes

1. Annex A – Statement of Understanding
2. Annex B – Medical and Legal Briefings