Every time a fire truck leaves a hall anywhere there is a chance the crew is going to use the jaws of life.
For Vancouver Fire and Rescue members, training to use the equipment involves working on cars donated from the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Kidney Car program, the foundation’s main fundraiser. People with unwanted cars can donate them and get a minimum $300 tax receipt, and the vehicles are recycled. About 150 cars a year are disassembled methodically so when the time comes, everyone knows what to do to save a life.
“At a scene, things happen so quickly we don’t have time to second guess our decisions. We need proper training to make sure we don’t hesitate during the real deal,” Jonathan Gormick of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services said.
The Kidney Foundation’s goal this Christmas is to increase organ donation. Eighty per cent of organ transplants in B.C. are kidneys, but the waiting list for people who need transplants keeps growing. Right now, there are 516 British Columbians waiting for a second chance at life.
Pia Schindler, the Director of Development of the foundation’s B.C chapter, said there are 5,000 volunteers who are getting the word out.
“Our goal is simple,” she said. “We aim to increase organ donor registrations in B.C. by 50 per cent in the next five years.”
William Stewart knows what organ donation means first-hand. The Vancouver man received his kidney transplant in July, waiting nearly five years for his second chance. He is lucky. Right now in B.C., there are 508 people waiting for a kidney transplant. Despite efforts to increase living donors, and raise awareness for people to register their intentions to donate, the list keeps getting longer.
“I’m dedicating my life to make people aware of organ donation, and make people understand they have the power to save a life.”
This time of year, thinking of others is what we all preach. The Kidney Foundation of Canada wants you to back up that thought with action. Donating a car or registering to become an organ donor can save lives: what better gift could there be?