A local advocate for organ and tissue donation is inviting the peace country to join the donor list. Dean Radbourne has been pushing for others to get on board since his daughter had her heart transplant when she was a baby.
He says in the last two years, the government has started to streamline the process to make it easier to become a donor online.
“The low donor ratings in Alberta certainly aren’t reflective of Albertans willingness to give and be compassionate. It is just more of a reflection of the system.”
He says about 8 per cent of the province is signed up to donate their organs.
Radbourne explains that an important thing to do during Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week is to talk with your family about your wishes. Radbourne explains that it helps relieve some stress of making a decision when a loved one passes away.
“Right now, if you don’t think about it to the last minute and then you are sprung with the decision when you are likely in the worst moment of your life… who knows how you will react.”
You can register your intent to become a donor online through the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry.