It’s a challenge that is near and dear to Nora Fontaine’s heart.
British Columbia has challenged Canadians to become organ donors. BC Transplant wants to see 48,000 Canadians in 48 hours in support of organ donation.
Fontaine, a long-time Flin Flon resident, is encouraging area residents to take a few minutes between today and Wednesday to sign up to become an organ donor.
“We lost our son in a car accident nearly 22 years ago,” said Fontaine. “We had his organs donated. I’ve made it my pledge to keep his memory alive.”
For the past 15 years, Fontaine has been collecting donations and raising awareness in support of organ donation.
In conjunction with National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, from April 20 to 24, BC’s challenge comes at an opportune time.
“Our son could have easily needed an organ donation,” said Fontaine. “It’s something that is very near and dear to our hearts.”
Signing up to become an organ donor is as simple as visiting the Sign Up For Life website, entering three pieces of identification – your health card number, your name as it appears on your health card and your birth date.
“Your decision to register now could save up to eight lives and enhance as many as 75 more,” reads the Sign Up For Life website.
Residents interested in joining the registry must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid health card.
The Sign Up For Life campaign encourages all those eligible to register, even those who have signed an organ donor card.
“A signed donor card is not recorded in the Manitoba Health database and may not be available when needed,” read the website. “Organ and tissue donor intent registration is the only secure and guaranteed way to make your decision to save lives known.”
To register for the online organ donor registry, visit www.signupforlife.ca and follow the simple “I want to register” tabs.
Locally, Fontaine will be holding her annual tag day this Friday, April 24 to raise funds and awareness for organ donation.
