ICBC is launching a pilot program to help British Columbians register to become organ donors.
2015 was a record year for BC Transplant, with 422 patients receiving transplanted organs.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 422 patients received life-saving transplants
- 35 lung transplants
- 79 liver transplants + 3 liver/kidney transplants
- 271 kidney transplants (161 of which were from deceased donors)
- Record number of deceased donors in Fraser Health, Interior Health, Provincial Health Services and Vancouver Coastal Health authorities
Those numbers are good, but officials say they could be better.
“We know that the overwhelming majority of British Columbians support organ donation,” ICBC President-CEO Mark Blucher said. “But it’s interesting, while 50 per cent of British Columbians believe they’ve actually registered for organ donation, in fact only 20 per cent actually have.”
Starting March 1, select ICBC locations will help residents discover if they are organ donors and help them sign up.
“When they get called up for service we’ll be asking them if they’ve registered a decision on organ donation. If they’re not sure…we can check for them,” ICBC’s Lee Olley said.
ICBC will launch the pilot at its North Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kelowna and Royal Centre locations from March to May.
After the pilot is completed, it will then analyze the effectiveness before considering further options.
A “mother’s gift of life”
It’s a story that brings back sad memories, but Kim Jordison told it this morning to let people know about her “mother’s gift of life.”
It was something her mother Carol had discussed with her daughters years before, shortly after the unexpected death of her husband Ralph.
“It was during this difficult time that my sister and I had a lengthy conversations with our mother about organ donation and she made it known her wish was to be a donor when she passed,” Jordison said.
When Carol died from a heart attack five years ago there was no question as to what would be done.
“My mother was able to donate all her organs except for her heart,” Jordison said. “Seven people were given a second chance at life because of her donation.”
Jordison is glad her mother made the decision to be an organ donor and she encourages others to do the same.
“Although I miss her every day, knowing that her organs have helped others in need and that he wish was honoured gives me peace,” she said.
Anyone can also register their decision online with BC Transplant or call 1-800-663-6189.
– With files from Jon Azpiri