Tappy needs a new set of lungs

According to the Canadian Organ Replacement Registry, in 2005, more than four thousand Canadians waited for an organ transplant while less than 2,000 organs were retrieved for transplant. According to Health Canada, Canada has one of the lowest organ donation rates amoung industrialised nations.

As for lung transplants, mid-year data for 2006 shows aproximately 200 patients waiting for single or bilateral lung transplants, with only 53 procedures having been performed. 20 people died waiting for their new lungs and over 100 waiting for other organs in the first half of this year.

Do you intend to donate? Did you know that signing an organ donor card may not be enough? The decision to donate your organs in the event of your death will ultimately fall to your next of kin. Signing an organ donor card is a good start, but we should all take the time to discuss our intentions with our loved ones to save them any added stress in a time of tremendous grief.

Find out more about organ donation in Nova Scotia check out the MSI Donor Registry. For other provinces, this site has some links although some do not work.