A Life-Saving Gift: Organ & Tissue Donation

Posted by Tamisan Bencz-Knight

on Jul 14, 2015

Lives are saved - miracles happen.

We were very fortunate to have Beverly Browne join our Rotary meeting to discuss the importance of organ and tissue donation. I know personally that I have signed my Alberta Health Care Card and my husband as well. Realistically, I am not sure I would be a candidate with my MS; however, I will leave it up to those who know much more than I do about all this medical stuff - when in doubt, my organs and tissue can be used for medical studies to help further our knowledge. Moving forward, I was inspired to learn about the Organ & Tissue Donation Registry as a way to ensure that my wishes would be fulfilled once I die. Yes, in my morbid way, I have expectations when I die and this is one of them.

Please enjoy Beverly Brown and Kevin Lynch's stories and simple steps to register your wishes below.

"I wish to draw your attention to the life-saving gift of organ donation and the process by which you can ensure your organ donation wishes are followed.

Tragedy happens in our lives from time to time. Organ donation decisions need to be made quickly once clinical death has occurred and while the potential donor remains on life support. Organ donation is discussed with the potential donor’s family only when there is no chance of recovery or survival.

This is an agonizing and emotional decision required at a difficult time. Preparation and discussion in advance can make this decision easier.

Compelling Facts

1) One out of three patients will die while awaiting a liver or lung transplant.

2) You are never too old to donate your organs – the doctors will assess the suitability of your organs.

3) You can donate some or all of your organs.

4) One organ donor can save eight lives; tissue donation can enhance the lives of up to 75 people.

5) Every effort is made by medical staff to keep you alive: Your choice to be a donor does not affect the quality of life-saving medical care you receive.

6) The Prairie Provinces have the lowest organ donation rate in Canada.

7) The Mazankowski Alberta Health Institute performed 32 adult and pediatric heart transplants in 2013.

8) At the University of Alberta Hospital, 42 lung transplants have been performed from January 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014.

Testimonials

I received a double lung transplant on June 4, 2014. I was in the final stages of lung disease, a combination of sarcoidosis and pulmonary hypertension, when I received the phone call and the miracle of new lungs. I have been a lawyer since 1975 and a judge since 1990 in Nunavut and Alberta. I hope to continue in that profession and re-establish an active life after my recovery. Thank you to my donor and their family.

-Beverly Browne

I received a heart transplant on April 10, 2014, after being afflicted with dilated cardiomyopathy for about ten years. By the fall of 2013, I was in the end stage of heart failure. In the spring of 2014, I was given the sacred gift of a second life from my donor, his family, and the medical professionals at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. I have been a lawyer since 1988 and have recently returned to work. I am now enjoying many activities with family and friends.

-Kevin Lynch

How to Register for Organ Donation

In April 2014, the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry began accepting the registration of individuals wishing to provide their consent/intent to donate their organs and tissues. This process is important as previously many of us had signed up on our Alberta Health Care Cards but those are not always readily accessible at the time of crisis. Now your intentions can be registered online, made available to the appropriate medical professionals, and provided to your family and loved ones as proof of your wishes once a declaration of death has been made.

Step 1:

Talk to your family and friends and confirm your intention to donate some or all of your organs and/or tissues.

Step 2:

Click on “proceed” under the “Register Intent/Update Consent” banner.

Complete the Identity Verification and register your intent to donate online.

Then print off the Donation Consent Form, sign it, have a witness sign it, and return it to Alberta Health by mail or fax as follows:

Alberta Health

Attention: Alberta Organ & Tissue Donation Registry

P.O. Box 1360, Station Main

Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3

Fax: 780.641.9679

Alternate Step 2: You may register as an organ donor at any AMA office or Provincial Registry office.

There are many exciting initiatives taking place at the University of Alberta Hospital’s Organ and Tissue Transplant Program. Lives are saved – miracles happen. Please consider discussing this important issue with your family and following through by registering with the Donation Registry.

Thank you and may your name be on the Registry for many years to come.

Yours truly,

Bev Browne & Kevin Lynch"