It looks like many British Columbians are getting the message about the importance of organ donations – but there’s still some work to do.
Numbers released by the provincial government show the number of transplants and donors went down in 2014. There were 326 transplants performed in B.C. in 2014 compared to 346 in 2013, and the deceased donor rate of 14.8 donors per million people is down as well. In total, 450 people still remain on the waiting list in British Columbia.
However, the province continues to lead western Canada when it comes to organ donation, and B.C.’s living donor rate of 23 donors per million continues to lead the country. There were also 60 liver transplants from deceased donors, a record number.
READ MORE: Elaine Yong’s 2013 series on organ transplants
“Each year when I look at the BC Transplant statistics, it’s the stories behind the numbers that are most powerful,” said Health Minister Terry Lake in a statement. “The stories of people who made a selfless decision to give life to another person, and the people whose lives are forever changed through transplant – that’s the true measure of success.”
Ninety-five per cent of British Columbians agree with organ donation, but only 20 per cent have registered. To register, visit Transplant BC.
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