On Air Now

Middays With Laura Mainella

10:00am - 2:00pm

Now Playing

SAM SMITH

I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE

Download

Donors Save Lives

Ryley Mitchell and her family are celebrating nine years of health and happiness after a life-saving heart transplant.

WOODSTOCK - Nine years ago today (January 29th), Ryley Mitchell of Woodstock received a life-saving heart transplant.

Ryley was two months old when she received her organ donation after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy - today, Ryley is a happy, healthy and active young girl.

The topic of organ and tissue donation was brought to the spotlight when the sister of slain RCMP Constable David Wynn announced during her eulogy at Wynn's full regimental funeral this week in Edmonton, that over 30 people received donations from her brother.

Ryley's mother Joanna Mitchell says for those wishing to be a donor, it's not only important to ensure you're registered but also that your family knows your wishes.

Joanna points out that donor cards are no longer available so it's important to register online or obtain the registration forms from a Service Ontario office.  "So all you have to do is go on to beadonor.ca with your health card, you can punch in your health card number and check whether you're already registered.  If you're not registered then you can go ahead and you have options if there's certain organs that you would prefer not to donate, you can check those off and make sure that, that wish is known."

For those uncertain about becoming an organ or tissue donor, Joanna says "I think that you need to put yourself into the position of what if yourself, or your child or your mom or your dad, they needed an organ to be able to survive. Their only hope to live was for somebody to make the choice of organ donation.  And I think if you can put yourself into that position, if you would say yes I would take an organ for myself or my loved one to be able to live that should make it simple that you would do the same thing somebody else's family."

Click here to register or check if you a registered donor.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.
Rating *

Weather

Recently Played