The Government of B.C. has partnered with BC Transplant to make registering your decision on organ donation easier than ever before.

Starting today, Service BC centres in Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Port Alberni and Salmon Arm will offer citizens the opportunity to register their decision about becoming a lifesaving organ donor quickly and easily.

More than 95% of British Columbians support organ donation but only 19% have registered. With close to 500 citizens on the transplant waiting list, signing up to become an organ donor could  help save lives - possibly the life of a neighbour, co-worker, friend or family member in need.

Government is developing new opportunities to promote organ donation, beginning with these four Service BC locations. Participating centres have friendly staff on hand to provide information about organ donation, answer questions about the registration process and to assist citizens to confirm their intentions with BC Transplant by registering online as a donor.

Quotes:

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Andrew Wilkinson −

“Every donor registration increases the chance that a patient’s life could be saved. I’m proud that Service BC will be assisting British Columbians to register for organ donation.”

Minister of Health Terry Lake −

“With so many British Columbians waiting for a transplant it’s great to be able to use government resources in creative ways to help increase the number of potential donors in B.C.”

Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo −

“As someone who has been touched by a close family friend in need of a heart transplant, I am proud to have played a part in helping this program become a reality. By increasing opportunities to register as an organ donor more lives can be saved.”

BC Transplant provincial executive director Dr. Greg Grant −

“We know that British Columbians support organ donation. We are excited that this partnership with Service BC will make it easier for people in many of B.C.’s smaller communities to register their decision.”

Quick Facts:

• Close to 500 British Columbians are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant.
• Nearly 400 of the people on the list are waiting for a kidney.
• A single donor can save up to eight lives.
• A decal on your driver’s licence is no longer enough. A potential donor also needs to register using a BC Services Card or CareCard at: www.transplant.bc.ca
• You should still register no matter how old you are. Canada’s oldest organ donor on record was 93.
• More than 95% of B.C. residents support organ donation, yet only 19% have registered their decision.
• Service BC delivers hundreds of services for government programs to residents, businesses and visitors - in person, online and over the phone. There are 61 Service BC centres located in British Columbia, serving more than 1.34 million people every year.
• BC Transplant, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides provincial oversight for all organ donation and transplantation activities in B.C.

Learn More:

BC Transplant: www.transplant.bc.ca

Service BC: www.servicebc.gov.bc.ca

HealthLinkBC - Organ Transplant: www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthtopics/content.asp?hwid=ty7522

Media Contacts:

Melody Wey
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
250 508-5030

Peggy John
Communications Manager
BC Transplant
604 877-2184