Register to donate organs so you can give the gift of life

Biggest gift of all – The gift of life

I recently attended a Christmas party hosted by the HeartLinks Heart Transplant Support Group in Toronto. Being there reminded me that the ultimate gift on death is the gift of life.

I have a personal connection to this issue. My mom, who remains alive and well, is a heart transplant recipient. She received her new heart more than 32 years ago, in 1992. When the call came to say there was a heart for her, I was barely an adult. Without that new heart, my mom would never have known me as I am now, and my children would never have had the chance to meet their grandmother.

Unlike other types of transplants where there can be a living donor, a heart transplant can only come from someone who is deceased. In my mom’s case, her heart came from a 16-year-old male from New Brunswick. I am eternally grateful to this young man and his family. Donating during what was surely a period of intense grief and mourning was exceptionally selfless and altruistic.

If you want to give the biggest gift of all—the gift of life—it’s important to take both of these steps:

1. Register your intention with the provincial registry where you reside
2. Make your family aware of your wishes and let them know you have registered as a donor

Each province has its own registry, so if you move provinces it’s important to register your intention in the new province.

Let’s also clear up some common misconceptions and fears:

• “If I am a registered donor, I won’t receive full life-saving efforts.” Incorrect! The number one priority for medical professionals is to save lives. Organ donation is only considered after all life-saving efforts have been taken and there is no chance of survival.
• “I’m too old to be a donor.” False! There is no age restriction on organ and tissue donation. As long as the organs and tissue are healthy, they can be donated.
• “I have several medical conditions, so I can’t be a donor.” Wrong! Having medical conditions does not automatically exclude you from potentially being a donor. The suitability of organs and tissue are evaluated at the relevant time.
• “An open casket will not be an option at my funeral.” Untrue! Since organs and tissue are retrieved in a surgical manner, minimal alternations are made to the physical appearance of the donor’s body. 

Even if you are a registered donor, there is no guarantee you will be one, but there is a chance you can save someone’s life and give them the opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life.

Remember that many people would not be alive today if it weren’t for all the families who, in the midst of their heartbreak, made the decide to donate organs and give the biggest gift of all.