Raising awareness about organ donation
A ceremony was held Tuesday at city hall in Sudbury to raise awareness surrounding organ donation.
Attending were donor recipients, living donors and those awaiting transplant, all gathered to recognize Be A Donor month at a press conference put on by the local Irish Heritage Club.
The group has be advocating for organ donation for 25 years.
“One donor can save eight lives, so if we save a life, we’ve done great,” said Frank Horan, Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury past president.
“How many will we save? We don’t know. Hopefully, we can increase the number of donors. I know two people here in Sudbury … in critical condition (waiting) for a kidney.”
Patrick Moroso, 19, is on the waiting list for a new kidney. His mom, Donna, said no one in his immediate family is a match.
“So we try to get the word out as much as we can,” she said.
“It is definitely taxing to do that. Patrick doesn’t like media so as a mom … I’m his biggest advocate to fight for this kid because without awareness, I’m not sure entirely what opportunities he would have.”
The list for organ donation from a deceased donor is long. The Kidney Foundation of Canada said many people wait three to five years.
Kelly Ryan, who attended the event, donated her kidney to her husband on Feb. 24, 2021.
“My donor experience was really great, to be honest,” Ryan said.
“I was a little nervous going into it -- I mean, it’s a big deal -- but the teams at Health Sciences North and the London hospital really walk you through it. They really make sure that you are aware of all the risks and benefits of kidney donation and make sure that you are all set and confident and ready to go.”
The Trillium Gift of Life network says more than 90 per cent of Ontarians support organ donation, but only one in three have registered consent.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“For anybody who is thinking about being a donor, I really strongly encourage it,” Ryan said.
“The impact that you make on people’s lives is exponential and it’s a special gift to be able to give to someone.”
Click here to get information about becoming a donor.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft has landed on the moon’s far side to collect rocks in a growing space rivalry with U.S.