National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week (NOTDAW) April 19 – 25, 2015 is a week to honour organ and tissue donors and their families who have so graciously given the precious gift of life and improved health to many individuals who require a transplant. This is also a week to heighten awareness around the need for organ and tissue donation and the benefits of transplantation.
In 2014, Alberta Health Services physicians and staff performed 313 organ transplants, thanks to 72 living and 73 deceased donors. In addition, there were 791 tissue donors (living and deceased) who gave life-enhancing tissue transplants to 3,100 patients.
Over 4000 Canadians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and many more wait for life enhancing tissue transplants. There are many ways to help and show support:
- Register your intent on-line at myhealth.alberta.ca
- Talk to your family and friends and share your intent to donate
- Indicate donation wishes when you renew or apply for your Alberta driver’s license
For more information on organ and tissue donation, call 1-866-407-1970 or visit https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Pages/OTDRHome.aspx