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Oxford County Above Average for Registered Organ Donors

Friday, 22 April 2016 at 06:13

One organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives, and 40% of people in Oxford County have registered to be a donor.

This week marks National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness week.

Volunteer with Life Donation Awareness Christine Smith says people from Oxford County are really putting their heart, liver, and kidneys into donation.

"Canadian are about 90% in support of organ and tissue donation but less than 29% actually donate. We are doing better here in Oxford County - we are at 40% rate. So the word is getting out."

Smith speaks from personal experience after receiving a donation herself.

"There are actually 1,679 people waiting right now on the transplant list. I was very fortunate; it will be 6 years in December when I received my kidney and I was on the list for a short period of time and then received my kidney."

One of the most important things to do when you are considering registering to be a donor is to talk with family and loved ones according to Smith.

"Even though you have the intentions and you put it out there, if it comes down to it it's up to the family to make that decision on your behalf. If you haven't let them know, a lot of emotions take place and if your family doesn't know it could not take place."

One donation can save up to 8 lives.

If you want to register, head over to BeADonor.ca

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