Organ And Tissue Donation Is The Right Thing To Do

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week is April 21-27, 2019
Have you registered to be a donor?

Today in Ontario there are over 1,600 people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. This is their only treatment option, and every three days someone will die because they did not get their transplant in time.

One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation, and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.

If you have already made the decision to be a donor, thank you. If you haven’t, perhaps you have questions about the process. Maybe you wonder if you’re too old to donate, or if your medical history may preclude you from doing so. You might be worried about whether you can still have an open casket funeral or whether you are restricted by your religious beliefs.

The Service Ontario site www.beadonor.ca has the answers:

•  Age alone does not disqualify someone from becoming a donor. The oldest organ donor was over 90 and the oldest tissue donor was over 100.

•  Your current or past medical history does not prevent you from registering to be a donor. Individuals with serious illnesses can, sometimes, be organ and/or tissue donors.

•  Organ and tissue donation does not impact funeral plans. An open casket funeral is possible.

•  All major religions support organ and tissue donation, or respect an individual’s choice.

As of December 31, 2018, only 33% of Ontarians are registered donors. That’s 4.2 million out of an eligible 12.5 million. We can do better, one donor at a time.

Visit www.beadonor.ca for more information, or to register to become a donor.