The Gift of Life Renewal

January 01, 2011

In 2008, 4,330 Canadians had health needs requiring an organ transplant, but only 2,083 transplants took place. Two hundred and fifteen people died on the waiting list. Canada’s organ donation rate is behind that of countries such as the US, Italy, Belgium and Spain.

Those needing a transplant come from all walks of life. They can be your neighbour, your friend, your child, or in my case my sister Sue. A proud and accomplished person, she has for years been dialysing for hours daily, never complaining and always remaining upbeat. A wonderful anonymous donor has given her a gift of freedom, of renewed life normality, a kidney which allows her the fullness of daily being.

This gift, a Godsend to my eternally grateful sister, is also a true blessing to her loved ones and friends who have silently prayed for this liberation for her. My thanks to the medical doctors that perform such miracles, to the many that give of their time to engage people to consider such a legacy of continued life and a special thank you to the donors and their families who selflessly contribute this extraordinary gift, most often in moments of deep sadness. May this generosity, this giving of life renewal, be repeated many fold.

While some organ donations are from living donors, I would especially encourage people (and their families) to donate their organs after death, when they no longer need them. It’s such a simple act, but it can have a profound effect on those waiting for transplants.

Organs from one individual can be used in eight life-saving procedures such as heart transplants, and a further 50 people can have their lives improved through donations of tissue or organs.

I think we should all be encouraged to help others in this fashion. What do you think?