Registering to become a potential organ donor when you die may be the simplest and most generous thing you ever do.
By leaving your organs behind, you may save as many as eight (8 lives). What could be more generous than to give a fellow Canadian a chance to celebrate another birthday, graduate high school, travel the world, get married and have children?
It is the mission of The Organ Project to end the organ transplant waiting list. We aim to do this by raising awareness, finding ways to increase donor registration and assisting families on the waitlist in their search for a living donor.
Thinking about your own death can be scary. True. But waiting every day to see if you get a second chance at life is terrifying. Ask anyone who has been through it.
While a large majority of Canadians support organ donation, not enough Canadians are registered as potential organ donors. Not nearly enough. If your life has not been impacted by organ donation and transplantation, there is a very good chance it will be.
Canadians are five to six times more likely to need a transplant than they ever are to become a donor. We are living longer, we are, on average, more sedentary and transplants are incredibly effective at treating organ failure. Demand is growing, supply is not.
Help us inspire people to push past the fear and procrastination and register. The chance of someone ever becoming an organ donor is very small. That is why it is so VERY important that everyone who can donate their organs, agrees to do so.
In 2017, The Organ Project created four commercials to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation. Our commercials were a big part of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Ottawa Senators and, thanks to partners like Bell Media, they achieved great reach in April – Organ Donation Awareness Month. With your help we can create new ads for play in 2018.
Imagine the fear and helplessness associated with waiting for an organ transplant. Time just keeps on ticking. And with every hour, every day, chances of survival drop a little. Help us eliminate the wait and get those Canadians on the organ transplant waiting list back to healthy living.
The demand for organs continues to significantly outstrip the supply across Canada. As our population ages, the problem will only get worse.
You are 5 times more likely to need an organ than give one
A single donor can save up to 8 lives
Being a registered organ donor increases the chances of an organ being used for transplantation by more than 50%
One person dies every 30 hours waiting for a transplant in Canada
Less than 1% all deaths in Canada become actual organ donors.
More than 4,500 Canadians need a life-saving organ transplant, and 1,600 will be added to a waiting list this year
5 patients on the organ transplant waiting list will die this week waiting for a donor
The Organ Project hosted its inaugural gala on March 31 2017 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Wow, what a night!
Beyond the personal generosity of Mr. Melnyk, the gala represents our primary source of operating funds.
Money raised at our gala allows us to:
Last year’s sold-out event brought together leaders from business, sports and philanthropy for a moving and entertaining, not-to-be missed evening. Grammy Award-winning artist Carrie Underwood provided a memorable performance to highlight the event and a live auction included luxurious vacations, retreats, and elite sporting packages.
The Organ Project is undertaking campaigns to research ways to use social media more effectively to encourage donor registration.
We are also pursuing efforts aimed at improving the public’s understanding of what organ donation really means. With a specific focus on youth and employers, we are hoping to empower individuals to make an informed choice and become advocates in the process.
The rate of living donation in Canada continues to decline which presents a significant problem for all Canadians, but mostly for people waiting for an organ transplant.
Canada is a leader in living donation. We have some of the best facilities and best practitioners in the world. The Organ Project is working with experts across Canada to pull together resources so that we can help people find the information and support they need in the area of living donation.
At The Organ Project we are involved in a number of events to help raise awareness and drive donor registration. Check out what we’re up to!
If you're interested in joining us in our mission to end the waiting list, here's how you can get involved:
Become An Advocate
Join our mailing list and become part of our team as we work to end the organ donor waiting list. Keep up-to-date on our efforts through our quarterly Newsletter and stay involved with notices about upcoming Organ Project events and programs, including our annual Gala. You are able to unsubscribe at any time, should you wish.