The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch recently launched a campaign with a goal to save lives of those waiting for an organ transplant.

Called “Community Pillars: Saving Lives Through Organ Donation, ” The Kidney Foundation is hoping to engage BC employers to make it standard practice to offer their employees an opportunity to register their wishes for organ donation.

With an estimated 10% of BC’s workforce having kidney disease it makes sense for today’s employers to be part of the organ donation solution for both the health and wellness of their organization and for the community at large.

Chief Constable Rattenbury states; ” Port Moody Police Department is delighted to support The Kidney Foundation in their fight to increase organ donor registration.  In fact, registration can be completed within a couple of minutes with a few easy steps”.

Right now there are approximately 500 people in BC waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and almost 400 of these are waiting for a kidney.  Thousands more are on dialysis  and may need a transplant.  Sadly, many of these people may die waiting.  There is no cure for kidney disease but a transplant can offer a better quality of life.

According to a recent poll, 95% of British Columbians say they support organ donation but only 20% have registered through BC’s organ donor registry.  The Kidney Foundation of Canada has committed to a goal to increase organ donor registration and kidney transplants by 50% over the next 5 years.

For more information, contact:

Deborah Tucker, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch

Deborah@kidney.bc.ca or604.736.9775 or visit online at kidney.bc.ca