Urge for more organ donation - plus the surgeon mentioned ...

Organ donors wanted as Alberta demand spikes

By Bill Kaufmann ,Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 03:11 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 03:19 PM MDT

Waiting lists for organ transplants in the province are growing, as are the number of people on them who are dying, states Alberta Health Services.

Those numbers come just as Calgary prepares to host the Canadian Transplant Games, an event to promote the merits of organ donations.

And it also coincided with the Canadian Blood Services calling for a national strategy to integrate organ donor efforts to boost their numbers.

While local organ recipients spoke of their eagerness to participate in the July 16-22 games at Foothills Athletic Park, Calgary transplant surgeon Mauricio Monroy-Cuadros noted the supply of the body parts is falling further behind the demand.

In 2009, those on the waiting list for a transplant in Alberta numbered 472, compared to 786 last year.

“In the supply and the demand of organs, the gap is getting bigger — more people on dialysis who are waiting are dying,” said Monroy-Cuadros, who performs kidney and pancreas transplants.

“We want people to be aware they have to sign their donor cards.”

He said it remains a challenge for potential donors to overcome religious and cultural barriers or lack of awareness.

Kristy Thackeray received a new heart in 1996, eight years before her daughter Shaylynn was also given the same organ after both suffered from the same cardiac ailment.

“Organ donation is human compassion at its finest,” said Thackeray, 30, who’ll compete in a number of sports at the games next month.

Nearly six years after undergoing two liver transplants within two months, Randel Tyler said the games involving 200 organ recipients are a way to raise awareness of a selfless gift.

“Essentially, it’s about celebrating and appreciating life,” said Tyler, 48, who’ll compete in the 5km run.

“We’ve all had to get approval from a doctor to participate in the games.”

A national program to better coordinate organ donations between provinces is crucial in increasing its rate, said Canadian Blood Services Chairman Leah Hollins.

“Call to Action’s recommendations highlight how a national system will not only save and improve more lives, but also provide more value for precious health care dollars,” she said.

Surgeon Monroy-Cuadros said transplants pay off not only in better quality of life but in lowering health care costs related to treatment such as dialysis.

bill.kaufmann@sunmedia.ca

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http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/06/20/organ-donors-wanted-as-alberta-demand-spikes

** the surgeon's name mentioned in the article is the surgeon who did my transplant in feb 2012 !