Join The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch and some cute kids affected by kidney disease as they recognize BC Chiefs of Police for their invaluable support of a special campaign to help save the lives of those waiting for an organ transplant.
There is an urgent need for more kidney transplants in BC. There are over 600 people in BC waiting for a life saving organ transplant, and almost 500 of those are waiting for a kidney. Thousands more British Columbians are on dialysis, and approximately 50% of them will die before they get a kidney transplant. There is no cure for kidney disease but a transplant can offer a better quality of life.
To help address this critical situation, The Kidney Foundation of Canada has committed to increase organ donor registration and kidney transplantation by 50% over the next 5 years. Right now, 95% of British Columbians say they support organ donation but only 20% have actually registered on BC’s organ donor registry.
The Kidney Foundation has launched an innovative organ donation campaign, “Heroes aren’t born, they’re registered.” at kidney.bc.ca. This campaign aims to help organizations like the BC Association of Chiefs of Police raise awareness about the seriousness of kidney disease and encourage organ donor registration – whether yes or no – amongst their police officers and the communities they serve.
The Kidney Foundation and community leaders including the BC Association of Chiefs of Police recognize that action needs to happen now to give hope to kidney patients who need a life-saving transplant.
When: Tuesday June 28h, 2016
Where: Athletes Village Plaza, 1 Athletes Way
Alternative Rain Day venue: Creekside Recreation Centre 1 Athletes Way
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Agenda includes remarks and personal stories from:
o Chief Constable Chris Rattenbury, Port Moody Police Department
o Detective Roy McBeth, Abbotsford Police Department and kidney transplant recipient
o Constable Steve Kingra, Vancouver Police Department, kidney transplant recipient and kidney cancer survivor
- Special presentation by 2 year old kidney patient, Hailey-Ann, to Police Chiefs
- Kidney Kids performance
Also in attendance, Police Chief Les Sylvan President of BC Association of Chiefs of Police and other kidney patients
Opportunity for interviews and photo ops with:
- Chiefs of Police
- Kidney kids.
- Kidney patients -30-
For more information, please contact:
Deborah Tucker
The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch
Cell: 604-837-4317
Todd Hauptman
Cell: 604-376-2252