For two time kidney recipient, David Folstad, a transplant means so much more than a treatment for his ailment, "Transplant means freedom. Transplant means future."
Over the past 50 years of donation and transplant in BC, many individuals have found hope and a sustainable future from a simple humanitarian decision made by countless British Columbians to register their decision to donate. These people are prime examples of what it means to live by our motto – 'Live life. Pass it on.'
Currently over a fourth of BC's population are registered donors, making the province a national leader in deceased organ donor and living kidney donor rates. However, close to 700 patients are on a transplant wait-list in BC, and for some unfortunately, time is a fleeting resource. Although 90% of the local population shares a consensus on the importance of organ donation in restoring health and life, only roughly 20% actually register their decision.
Who can better motivate us to change that statistic than transplant recipients themselves? Similar to us, the holidays are a special time of the year for transplant recipients, but for them it also serves as a reminder for the gift of life they've received and a chance to celebrate with family and friends.
You can register your decision to donate at https://register.transplant.bc.ca/
From all of us at BC Transplant, we wish you a happy holiday season and all the best for 2018!
