I received an invite to a BC Transplant fundraising event in my email last week. It was supposed to be an event that Eva Markvoort would speak at (like she did last year) but since her passing in March, the event was being held in her honor.
Before Eva passed away I had never given very much thought to organ donation. I wasn’t against it, and if you asked me if I would want to give up my organs after I die I would gladly answer yes. So why on earth had I never signed up?
To be honest, I just don’t think I’d ever thought of it, which is a huge wake up call about transplant awareness. I purchased my ticket to the fundraiser and immediately went to the Transplant BC website to sign up to become an organ donor.
At the event on Saturday I was able to meet Eva’s sweet mother who gave a lovely speech about how transplant changed Eva’s life. There was also an adorable woman who spoke from the other perspective about her son who died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage and she ended up getting a letter saying her son’s organs had saved 5 lives. She read aloud the letters she received from the organ recipients and their families (which brought everyone to tears). The fact that her son saved these people brought happiness to the tragic events and helped bring her closure.
I can’t remember the exact numbers, but something like 59% of Canadians have said that they are for organ donation, but only 17% are registered organ donors. It is so frustrating to know that the information and expertise is there, but the resources are not. I now know 2 people who have died waiting for an organ transplant, and that is just unacceptable to me!
I was so inspired that I have challenged myself to get 10 people to sign up as organ donors. I’m not asking you to give money or volunteer your time. All I ask is that you take 2 minutes to go online and sign up to become an organ donor (you only need basic info and a Care Card #).
So far I’ve only gotten one person to sign up, but I’m working on 4 others who will hopefully sign up in the next few days. How could you say no to potentially saving lives?
TransplantBC…go and sign up now! (and if you do please let me know and spread the word!!!)
photos from we heart it
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Ugh, my stomach hurts, I think I ate too much stir fry. I’m sure it was smothered in butter too…Papa Quan insists on smothering everything in butter. “It’s good for you,” he says. One time I told him I wanted to start a healthy diet so he came home with an entire apple pie for me. I protested in confusion that I had JUST told him I wanted to eat healthier. He responded by explaining “It’s sugar free Alicia, and it has apples in it.”
