What would you do if you were told you could save one or more lives? Would you do it?
Sadly, most Canadians by default have chosen to say no. Every year more than 300 people die waiting for organ donations that never come. Many more people suffer a poor quality of life because of the need for transplant of tissue, corneas or organs like kidneys and livers. More than 4,000 Canadians are believed to be waiting for transplants now.
The Canadian Transplant Society says most Canadians say they support organ donation, but fewer than 20 per cent have made plans to donate. Of those even fewer have had the difficult conversations with their loved ones to make sure they have communicated their wishes upon their death. After your death most physicians will defer to your next of kin. If family members are unaware of your wishes, they may be too grief-stricken at your death to be able to act in time.
Morris Irvine of Morinville is one man who is trying to improve the odds for those waiting for organs. Irvine is grateful to have received a double lung transplant five years ago that he credits with transforming his life, giving him more energy and vitality. His grandson Cooper Pirtle is encouraging people to have the difficult conversation with their families to ensure they are prepared to follow through with your wishes after you are gone.
“You’re around a lot of family and friends, and it’s really important to have this conversation with your family so they know what you want done,” Cooper said.
Irvine has also become active with a charity effort called the 2nd Chance Trail Ride.
“We started this organization because I’m living proof organ donation works and I know it needs more awareness. I know it takes a simple conversation and the easy process to sign your donor card now needs to be known. Any transplant is a second chance at life and I want those people on a waiting list to have the same second chance I got,” Irvine said.
Organ donation from one person can save the lives of up to eight people. A single tissue donation can improved the lives of up to 75 people.
Albertans who want to donate need to sign the back of their health care card, and let their family know their wishes. They can also register online with the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry where they can also learn more details.
The Canadian Transplant Society advocates for ways to increase the likelihood that organs get to the people who need them. Its goals include improving the databases of organ donation registries, and fundraising to provide state of the art organ transportation units to preserve organs longer so they can get to the people who need them in time.
The impact of successful transplants is staggering. It can end corneal blindness, help burn victims recover, replace diseased lungs with healthy ones, correct birth defects, remove the need for long term dialysis, repair childhood heart problems, and in some cases can even cure diabetes.
Many people die without being aware they could have helped other people live. If you don’t want to risk that outcome, sign your organ donor card and make your wishes known.
