You don’t have to be a doctor or a firefighter to save lives – become a registered organ and tissue donor and you could help save the lives of up to 8 people and make life better for up to 75 other people!
In Canada, almost 90 per cent of Canadians say they support organ donation, but only 32 per cent have actually registered their intent to donate. Though donation rates have improved over the last ten years, there is more to be done as approximately 250 Canadians die annually waiting for an organ transplant. There are over 700 Albertans waiting for life-saving transplants, with many others on waitlists for life-enhancing tissue transplants.
Most adults can become organ and tissue donors. Most religions allow organ donation, you do not need to be in perfect health, and there is no age limit. In fact, earlier this year, the liver of a 98-year old Missouri man was successfully transplanted to a woman in need. You can donate directly to someone you know, or you can donate to your provincial organ and tissue donor organization.
Organ donation is when an organ (e.g., heart, lung, kidney) is removed from one person and transplanted into another person. Tissue donation is when tissues in the body (e.g., skin, corneas, bone) are removed from one person and transplanted into another person.
An organ donor usually dies an unexpected and sudden death. This often happens because of a motor vehicle accident. Deaths from Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) are also eligible for organ donation.
At this time in Alberta, MAID deaths with organ donation to follow are done at a hospital to streamline this time-sensitive process. According to a recent article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, options for patients who prefer a MAID death at home or other familiar location and still want to be an organ donor are being pioneered and one was successfully completed in Ontario with the use of a pre-arranged ambulance.
Tissues, on the other hand, do not require the same conditions as organs to survive, so tissue donation is possible after the heart and lungs have stopped working for 12 to 24 hours.
You can choose what organs and tissues you would like to offer for donation. Or you can choose to donate any organs that are needed. You can also choose to donate for transplant, for research, or for educational purposes.
There is no cost to your family or estate if you donate organs or tissues. All costs are covered by the healthcare system. The surgeons take great care during the process. Most of the time, there is no way to tell that the person was an organ or tissue donor, and you can have an open casket funeral.
Registering as an organ or tissue donor in Alberta is easy. As of 2020, registration through the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry can be done online. Register at myhealth.alberta.ca/Pages/OTDRHome.aspx or register in-person at any registry office. It communicates your wishes to healthcare professionals though a formal record.
Once you have registered, it is a good idea to intentionally set aside some time to discuss the decision with loved ones to ensure that they understand your wishes and that there are no surprises. It may be helpful to print out copies of the documentation for yourself as well as loved ones and agent(s). While medical professionals in Alberta will have access to your records, printed copies can still be useful particularly if you regularly travel out of province. By taking these steps, you can contribute to a life-saving cause and help reduce the waiting list for organ and tissue transplants.
Green Shirt Day in Canada is April 7 which honours the Logan Boulet Effect and supports organ and tissue donor awareness/registration across Canada. On April 6, 2018, Canadians were heartbroken to hear the news of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
On April 7, 2018, Humboldt Broncos defenseman Logan Boulet succumbed to his injuries. He was able to donate his organs because he was a registered donor and was able to save 6 people’s lives. As news spread of the organ donation by this young hockey player, it is estimated that almost 150,000 people registered to become organ donors in the days and weeks that followed.
Green Shirt Day was created to honour, remember, and recognize all the victims and families of that fatal crash and to continue Logan’s legacy by inspiring Canadians to talk to their families and register as organ donors.
The Dying with Dignity Calgary Chapter is pleased to continue to create articles for the Kerby News on a variety of end-of-life topics. Our volunteers are also available to give presentations on Advance Care Planning. Please reach out to calgary@dyingwithdignity.ca if you would like to book one of our knowledgeable volunteers to make a hands-on presentation to your group. This is an excellent opportunity for community associations, condominium boards, and social groups. We can customize the presentation to fit your demographics.