April 20 to 26, 1997, is National Organ Donor Awareness Week, a national campaign to increase awareness and encourage people to become organ and tissue donors.
The week for Prince Edward Island was officially proclaimed by Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover in the Legislative Assembly today. In so doing, she noted that the week has great significance for Islanders. "There are currently about forty Islanders on the waiting list for lifesaving organ transplants and life-enhancing tissue donations," Ms. Dover said. "Last year, thirty-four Islanders received donated corneas, kidneys, cochlear, liver and bone marrows. On average eight people die every day in Canada waiting for organ or tissue transplants very simply because we have a tragic shortage of donated organs and tissues."
Ms. Dover noted that if only 2% of deaths resulting from automobile accidents resulted in organs being donated, there would be no waiting lists.
During Organ Donor Awareness Week, Islanders are encouraged to sign an Organ Donor Card or indicate their intentions by placing an organ donor sticker on the back of their Personal Health Card. The card should be carried with the donor at all times.
People are also advised to discuss their wishes with their family as soon as they decide to become a donor. The final decision to donate is usually left to the next-of-kin, and the decision can be difficult for families at a time of crisis.
Minister Dover said that organ and tissue donation has many benefits. "By becoming an organ donor you are giving the greatest gift that you can give, the gift of life."
Studies have shown that organ donation is viewed by donor families as the most valued form of charity, and plays a very positive role in the grieving process.
Although ideal donor ages vary for each organ or tissue, most can be donated by people from birth to age 60. The age of the donor is not the most important determining factor, but rather the health and condition of the organ or tissue.
For more information on organ and tissue donation, people may call a member of the PEI Coalition On Organ And Tissue Donation, the CNIB, Health and Community Services, The Kidney Foundation, The Mutual Group, Community Hospital, the QEH, Western Hospital, the Medical Society of PEI, the Lung Association, and the RCMP, or by calling Health and Community Services at 368-6738.