SASKATOON – Those involved in Saskatchewan’s transplant program are urging people to make their wishes known if they want their organs to be used in the event of their death.
“Over 90 per cent of people in Canada say they do have an intent to donate,” said Diane Shendruk, head of the Saskatchewan Transplant Program.
“But the actual number of people who do donate is very low.”
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This week is organ donation awareness week in Canada, and various agencies are asking Canadians who want to donate to register their wishes, and make them known to family and friends.
“The organs from one deceased person can save up to eight lives,” said Dr. Mike Moser, a transplant surgeon in Saskatoon. “While putting a sticker on an organ card is a good thing, it’s more important to talk to your family, and make sure they know what your wishes are.”
”It’s a fairly simple conversation to have, but if you don’t have it your family have no way of knowing what your wishes are.”
In Saskatchewan transplants are done for kidneys, and corneas, said Shendruk. For other types of transplants, people usually have to go out of province – usually to Alberta, she said.
She said while there are various sites people can go to, to make their wishes known, one option is LiveOn.ca, which is being featured in this week’s #48in48 campaign underway across the country.
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Nationally, at least 4,300 people are waiting for an organ transplant, and of this list its estimated about 230 will die before they get one.
“There is such a need for organs in our country,” said Shendruk. “It’s one of the most important things that we need to think about as Canadians.”
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