Jim's Hearts

We’ve been at this advocacy thing for a while now. Sure, we’ve moved the bar by an inch or so, but if we are to be honest, we thought that we’d be a lot farther by now. We thought that Jim’s story would have provided the proverbial kick in the pants that people seem to need in order to sign up to be organ donors. Looks like more is required, which is like our kick in the pants ricocheting off of others and kicking us back. What to do?

It would be easy to say that we’ve done as much as we can in this area, but we know that there are thousands on the waiting list today. We cannot and will not turn our backs on them and their families and friends. So, we’re gearing up for another kick at what has proved to be the most challenging and illogical conundrum. We’re looking at you – if you don’t know why you should sign up to be an organ donor, we’re going to tell you. If you need more than Jim’s story to motivate you, we’re going to tell more. If you need to be reminded that it could be you on the waiting list, we’ll let you know.

Get ready.

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A few people have shared with us France’s decision to make organ donation automatic. We’re impressed, for sure, but we also understand that this isn’t the fix to fix all problems.

It’s like our own Bill C-316, “An Act to amend the Canada Revenue Agency (organ donors)”, and give Canadians the opportunity on their annual tax return to indicate their desire to be added to their province or territory’s organ donor registry in a convenient, effective and efficient manner. (Yes, please do sign the petition). This Bill is super-awesome, but again, not the magic elixir.

Bottom line, these initiatives are fantastic in that they are moving the seemingly heavy yard stick of organ donation….but without EDUCATION, they both fall flat.

You see, without educating our population about organ donation, and the necessity to talk about your wishes with your family, things can still go awry. If your family is faced with the decision upon your death to donate your organs and they don’t know of your wishes (or at least understand the importance of organ donation and the gift of life) they can refuse to do so. Unfortunately this happens a lot.

Be the educator. Start at your kitchen table tonight – and we’ll go from there.

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Ok. So we hadn’t really considered organ donation from this angle before, and now our minds are a bit blown. You know how we keep asking you to sign up to be a donor and to talk to your family about it? We had been thinking that your family could trump your wishes if they didn’t know your intention (or didn’t agree with it). And that is still true. The mind-blowing part is that this is only because of the sensitive nature of organ donation (not that this is a small thing)…..legally, you have consented to be an organ donor and this is binding.

Don’t get us wrong. We absolutely get it. When faced with the worst news of your life, no one wants to make things worse for you by pushing legal stuff on you. But this fact, that someone who has signed up to be an organ donor….has made a binding decision….can this be the basis of the change we need to see?

What if we elevated that act of signing up to be an organ donor to be the big deal it is meant to be? So this is the only decision? So when a family is faced with devastating news, the decision is simply understood?

Simple, it is not. But the possibilities this introduces are amazing. If you want to know more on this topic, check out this new article by Maeghan Toews and Timothy Caulfield. It has influenced us to reconsider how to push for change.

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Every time we lose a friend to circumstances or disease we cannot overcome or control (we’re looking at you cancer), we pause. We pause because we are losing friends, fathers, mothers and children to something we absolutely have control over – death that can be prevented. People we all care about are dying because they are languishing on the organ donation waiting list. This is just so wrong and makes us sad, and yes, mad.

It is beyond our comprehension why this is an ongoing issue. When we die, we will give our organs to someone who can use them…..to live. Why doesn’t everyone have this plan?

You can make a difference for THOUSANDS of Canadians waiting for an organ donation. Right now, we’re trying to come to grips with what we cannot control. Organ donation doesn’t fall into this category. Sign up.

#jimshearts #beadonor

Guess what? The dismal state of organ donation is on you. More than 75% of you have not signed up to be an organ donor. What more do you need?

Yes we need education. Yes we need awareness building. Yes we need better collaboration across our provinces.

But seriously – you KNOW this is an issue. There isn’t a month that goes by that there isn’t a high-profile (or low-profile) story where someone needs an organ transplant. Why haven’t you done anything about it? Does it have to be a story where you are personally involved? That’s just ridiculous.

Here’s an example:

Not too long ago, the owner of the Ottawa Senators (Eugene Melnyk) shared his story of his journey for a liver transplant. It was big news! Even people who never read a newspaper heard about this. So why is Ottawa hovering around a 35% registration rate?

And another one:

In 2012, Hélène Campbell (of Ottawa) lived in Toronto while she waited for and recovered from her lung transplant. She brilliantly shared her poignant story. She was on Ellen for goodness sake! Why (oh why) is Toronto at a dismal 20% registration rate? You were hoping for Jimmy Fallon?

(Not to mention of course Jim’s story!!!)

We know that this is simplifying things (a lot) – but without you, there is no hope. You cannot pass the buck on to anyone else. Step up, and sign up.

For the too many people waiting on the organ transplant list all across our county and for everyone’s future:  sign up to be an organ donor today in Ontario and across Canada.

It is on you. Whether you like it or not.

#jimshearts #beadonor