As families and friends gather together this holiday season, the B.C. government is encouraging everyone to take the simple step of registering their decision to become an organ donor, because there is no gift more precious than the gift of life.
It only takes a moment to join the 34,197 British Columbians who have answered the call since Service BC and BC Transplant launched their unique awareness partnership this past April.
Friendly staff at all 62 Service BC centres in communities throughout the province now provide information on organ donation and help residents register their decision on-site. Those with online access can also register at: www.transplant.bc.ca
The process is simple, confidential and registering may well be the reason someone waiting for an organ transplant can celebrate the holidays with their family this time next year.
Quick Facts:
• More than 95 per cent of British Columbians support organ donation but currently, only 20 per cent have registered their decision to be a donor.
• Close to 550 British Columbians are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant.
• Nearly 450 of the people on the list are waiting for a kidney while 29 are waiting for a liver transplant.
•A decal on your driver's licence is no longer enough; a potential donor can check their status or register using a BC Services Card or CareCard at: www.transplant.bc.ca
• You can register no matter how old you are. Canada's oldest organ donor on record was 93.
• BC Transplant, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides provincial oversight for all organ donation and transplantation activities in B.C.