Organ Donation Made Easier
Prince George, B.C. – The provincial government has announced a new partnership it hopes boosts the number of organ donors in B.C.
The partnership between BC Transplant and the 61 Service BC locations around the province will allow anyone who access’s the offices a chance to sign up.
This partnership was first launched last year as part of a successful pilot program at four Service BC Centres (Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Port Alberni and Salmon Arm) and resulted in a four-fold increase in the number of registrations year over year.
More than 95% of British Columbians support organ donations but only 20% have registered their decision to be a donor, and the government thinks this new initiative will help.
“Organ donation saves lives, and registering your decision with Service BC is a simple, small step anyone can do,” says Health Minister Terry Lake. “Having 61 locations throughout the province makes it easier to access government services and this is one service that can save the lives of British Columbians.”
There are currently 465 citizens on the transplant waiting list.
Comments
I am surprised the government hasn’t tried to make it mandatory yet….
could that be why we have such long surgery times, hoping for organ donors?
Think the number is only 19% of BCers who will donate. Don’t understand that. Why not do some good for your fellow man/woman, and donate?
Wifes been on the wait list for a kidney and pancreas for 6 long years and it can’t come soon enough. So please folks, if you haven’t already, sign up. Your organs can do a lot of good and change lives for a lot of people.
sorry about your wife Grizzly,
I am signed up …one day maybe I can help someone live a better life.
I wonder what happened to the previous donor programme? They gave you a sticker to put on your driver’s license. Are those who registered for that, still registered?
They got rid of the drivers license sticker program many years ago. It was an easy process for anyone with a driver’s licence. My bet is once they made the change those who wanted to register did not follow through with the requirements of contacting bc transplant and downloading a form, filling out the form, and then mailing it back. Should have left it easy with the sticker option.
I don’t know why they don’t make it opt-out. That way, people who object can get out of it easily enough but the percentage who are registered will be much higher.
As a transplant recipient I am glad to see people are supportive of this concept. I would however like to remind you that if you truly feel you want to help, registering is a great start. BUT if you really want to make a difference, you have 2 kidneys and only need one. Recovery time is 2-3 days in hospital for donor, and 2-3 months until you more or less forgot you donated. And as an added bonus there are programs in place to help cover travel, loss of wage etc. You would be amazed at how much impact you could have on someones life by donating now and not waiting until you are dead. Of course this only applies to Kidneys, but still.
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