Ministry of Health
VICTORIA – Supporting organ donation is now easier thanks to a new partnership between BC Transplant and the 61 Service BC locations throughout the province.
Beginning April 1, 2015, British Columbians visiting Service BC Locations have been offered the opportunity to register their decision on organ donation.
"Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts that can be given,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “In honour of National Organ and Tissue Awareness Week, I encourage those that haven't yet registered to take advantage of this new convenient opportunity."
Currently, more than 95 per cent of British Columbians support organ donations but only 20 per cent have registered their decision to be a donor. This program will make it easier for those who have yet to sign up.
Service BC centres are offices where British Columbians can access a wide range of government services, such as registering your marriage or the birth of a child, or conducting a title search. Offering visitors information about organ donation, and assisting those interested in confirming their intention by registering online is a valuable service to B.C. residents.
This new partnership builds on last year's successful pilot program held at four Service BC offices (Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Port Alberni and Salmon Arm). The pilot program showed a four-fold increase in the number of registrations than in the same period the previous year.
With 465 citizens on the transplant waiting list, signing up to become an organ donor could help save lives – possibly the life of a neighbour, co-worker, friend or family member in need.
A decal on your driver's licence is no longer enough, a potential donor has to register online through BC Transplant Society using a BC Services Card or CareCard at www.transplant.bc.ca/
The Service BC office in Kamloops is located at 250 – 455 Columbia Street.