Forty years ago I became an organ donor, on paper that is, by registering with the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Eye Bank of Canada. I also volunteered to recruit new donors, which at the time was no easy task. Many people feared they would not receive the utmost care from doctors if their organs and tissues could be harvested instead. Just as I introduced my Dad in 1972 to transcendental meditation — he arrived for his initiation ceremony with the requisite flower, piece of fruit and white handkerchief — I convinced him to sign up as an organ donor.
Dad frequently paraphrased a proverb: “The eyes mirror the soul”. When he died suddenly in 1986, his eyes became an apt gift. I’ve taken solace over the years in knowing his premature death gave vision to someone, somewhere.
Mom chose to donate her body for research to the Division of Anatomy at the University of Alberta. She added this gift to her Will, registered it with the anatomical gift program, and told her five children. Even so, at the time of her death we almost forgot to make the call.
ORGAN DONATION FACTS
- Every year too many people die while waiting for an organ donation.
- One donor can benefit more than 75 people and save up to 8 lives.
- 90% of Canadians support organ and tissue donation; less than 20% have made arrangements.
Our neighbours to the south fare better in comparison: in 2018, more than 145 million people over the age of 18 — 54% of U.S. adults — had registered as organ donors.
In Canada, organ donors cannot choose who will receive their organs after their death. A law protects the anonymity of both donors and recipients. Nor are donors’ families out of pocket for organ or tissue donations. The organ procurement organization covers all costs related to donation.
It’s become increasingly straightforward to enlist as a donor. Since 2017 in BC, for instance, anyone visiting an ICBC driver’s licensing location is asked to register a decision — yes or no — about organ donation. In one year this partnership between ICBC and BC Transplant boosted the donor list by 15%.
Acknowledging our mortality can be uncomfortable. But all decisions we take in advance about our life’s end help those who must deal with our demise. ♥
P.S. Note to my siblings: if we donate our bodies for research, we can claim to have fulfilled Dad’s aspirations for us by finally going to medical school!
Tanya Loretto says
Thank you Pam for speaking about such an important topic. Glad to see your posting again…. Missed you!
Pam McPhail says
Thanks, Tanya.
Glen Wickens says
Hmmm … have to think about signing away my organs when I renew my driver’s licence. Important to do so but not fun to contemplate since, as you point out, thoughts about organ donation lead to thoughts about mortality.
Pam McPhail says
Given the streamlined process for committing to organ donation, thoughts of mortality are fleeting. Just sign on the dotted line…
Ian Wallace says
Signing up for organ donation is so much easier now than before, at least in BC where it is linked, as noted in your fine posting, to driver’s licence renewals. If only it were so easy to donate blood, plan a funeral, or write/update a will. Some things are just too easy to put off indefinitely…
Pam McPhail says
Just as we try to put off death, we tend to put off attendant decisions about it. Perhaps there’s demand for a business that brings everything together for an affordable fee: The Penultimate Stop.
Patricia Young says
It is most cheering to have your blog back in action. This one serves as an important reminder to all of how important organ donation is and how easy it is to put your name on “the list” – in BC at least. Mine has been there for years. Well done Pam!
Pam McPhail says
Thanks, Pat.
Linda Watts says
I have believed organ donation was so important for years and became a donor more than 30 years ago.
I love the humor of your last sentence Pam.
Pam McPhail says
I wonder if my siblings will enjoy the humour too!
Tim McPhail says
I can’t speak for the others, but I thoroughly enjoyed the humour. Also, I renewed my driver’s licence yesterday and gave everything you recommended to science. Same as our Mom.
Tim
Patricia Britton says
Well said Pam.
Pam McPhail says
Thanks, Pat.
Linda Richarsdson says
I am also an organ donor. Signed up voluntarily long before moving to B.C. Thanks for sharing this important message Pam.
Rod MacArthur says
As someone who experiences the impact of organ donation on the lives of patient/family on a daily basis…I fully support this wonderful blog and the spirit of organ donation.
Such a powerful gift.
Rod
Pam McPhail says
For sure you know whereof you speak. Is it getting any easier these years to obtain hearts for transplants?