A Saskatchewan woman needing a double-lung transplant says the wait is frustrating and there are days when she feels she must learn to cope with death.
Charlotte L’Oste-Brown made the comments to a legislative committee tasked with looking at ways to boost what Premier Brad Wall has called Saskatchewan’s “dubious record” on organ donations.
“I do feel it has to be easier than what we’re doing now,” L’Oste-Brown said.
“Obviously the donor cards, we aren’t taking that sticker and putting it on our health card. So I’m suggesting we use that as our guide on how to better the system.”
READ MORE: Committee to look at ways to boost Saskatchewan’s low organ donation rate
L’Oste-Brown is waiting for a double lung transplant after contracting an auto-immune disease called polymyositis in June, 2003.
The disease attacked her lungs and she developed pulmonary fibrosis.
L’Oste Brown found she needed new lungs in August, 2014 following a situation where she was unable to breath.
She went through her pre-operation procedures in Edmonton in November, 2015, and has been on top of the donor list since December 1, 2015.
“I have to say I get a little angry from time to time,” said L’Oste-Brown.
“I feel I’ve jumped every hoop possible to survive this far. I was told when I got diagnosed that seven out of 10 people die within 10 years and I needed to look after myself until an organ transplant became an option, and that organ transplant option would come when I was on my last breath. And I guess I’ve done that.”
Tuesday was the first of four public inquiry sessions hosted by a legislative committee on the issue. The second Regina session will be held on Wednesday, and there will be two in Saskatoon on September 12th and 13th. Written submissions are also being accepted.
One of the presenters at the Saskatoon sessions will be the Saskatchewan Transplant Program. The program is pushing for donor physicians.
“Their focus is on working to promote advocacy, education, and support,” provincial manager Erin Schimpf said.
“They’ve been shown nationally and internationally to improve organ and tissue donation.”
Committee chair Greg Lawrence said the committee is keeping an open mind.
“Looking at other things that are out there — it’s education, and getting that information out to the public that it is an option,” he said.
NDP health critic Danielle Chartier is also on the committee, and said there needs to be a change to how the public approaches the subject of death.
“We’re very uncomfortable with death I think generally, and being able to figure out ways to ease that discomfort is maybe part of the process,” she said.
Saskatchewan’s donation rate is below the Canadian average. Less than one per cent of the people who die in the province donate organs or tissue.
There were 11 deceased donors in Saskatchewan last year from a population of slightly more than one million, compared with the Canadian average of 17 per million in 2014.
With files from David Baxter