VANCOUVER - A successful new partnership between BC Transplant and the Government of B.C. has helped hundreds of British Columbians register their decision on organ donation. This new project was launched in four community Service BC offices as an initial trial.

The project launched in 2014, and from Sept. 22 to Dec. 19, 2014, citizens visiting a Service BC centre in Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Port Alberni and Salmon Arm were provided the opportunity to register their decision about becoming a lifesaving organ donor.

This new service was provided in select offices to determine if making registration more accessible and easier would help increase the number of British Columbians who signed up.

BC Transplant has received 360 registrations at these four Service BC offices from September to November. With the staff providing information, registered decisions have increased four times over last year’s results. This approach seems to be an effective way to help British Columbians register their choice about being an organ donor.

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.

The B.C. government and BC Transplant would like to thank the staff of the Service BC sites for their enthusiastic participation in the program in the pilot sites and are looking to expand the program to all Service BC centres around the province.

Quotes:

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk -

“This successful partnership shows how effective Service BC centres and staff can be in helping increase organ donor awareness and registration. This program makes a difference to everyone waiting for a transplant, one of the hardest things a patient and their family can go through.”

Health Minister Terry Lake -

“Each British Columbian who registers to become a donor has the potential to save someone’s life. I congratulate those who have made that first step to register, and encourage others to consider signing up—it’s one minute of your time that may change a lifetime for another.”

MLA, Shuswap Greg Kyllo -

“This program is helping people around the province to register their decision as a donor and could help provide potentially life-saving aid to someone in need. I’m proud of the role I’ve had in getting this off the ground.”

BC Transplant Provincial executive director Dr. Greg Grant -

“The staff at Service BC have been tremendous. They have embraced the opportunity to encourage people to register their decision on organ donation - a decision that can have a huge impact in saving lives. The number of new registrations we are receiving continues to increase, and we are eager to see these results carry through in a potential provincial launch. British Columbians support organ donation and this partnership makes it easier for them 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 seven 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 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

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

Media Contacts:

Blair Phelps
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
250 889-9726

Peggy John
Communications Manager
BC Transplant
604 877-2184