In the wake of her daughter’s dying wishes, a grieving Ontario mother says organ donation protocols need to change.
Christine Milligan says she was shocked when doctors asked if she wanted to revoke Cassidey Ouellete’s wishes to donate her organs.
The 19-year-old was critically injured in a crash near Hastings, Ont., on Aug. 4, and died in a Toronto hospital — a day before her 20th birthday.
The mother, from Warkworth, was dismayed by the doctor’s donor inquisition since Ouellete signed a donor card at age 16 when she obtained her driver’s licence.
“We had just found out that we had lost our daughter and it was a question I don’t think anyone should have to answer in that state of mind,” Milligan told CHEX News. “It was quite devastating.”
Milligan said she always supported any decision her daughter made and questions why the option remains to overrule a donation request.
“It would have been easy to just say ‘no’,” said Milligan.
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Her brother, Rob Milligan, is the former Progressive Conservative MPP of Northumberland-Quinte West. In 2012 he introduced a private member’s bill to change organ donation rules.
His bill proposed that a donor’s wishes to be irrevocable and automatic, meaning a person can only opt out for personal or religious reasons.
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But the bill was left in limbo when the Ontario legislature was prorogued. Now the Milligans want to revive the bill.
“To me and my sister and family it just makes sense,” said Rob. “It’s a non-partisan bill. This is something that will have a positive impact on all Ontarians and Canadians.”
The Milligans want to call the legislation “Cassidey’s Bill.” Doctors told the family that eight people received Ouellete’s organs.
“You’ll be saving lives which is what Cassidey was all about,” said Rob.
Christine still has one wish: To see her daughter once again.
“She was full of life and spirit and if she wanted something, she worked really hard to make sure she achieved her goals,” said Milligan.
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