As BC Transplant tries to encourage more people to register for organ donation, here are some common misconceptions about the process:
MYTH: Registered donors receive inferior care.
FACT: In the event of a serious trauma, none of the medical staff working on a patient know if they're a registered donor or not. The donation process only begins when all lifesaving measures have been exhausted.
MYTH: Age is a major factor in the ability to donate.
FACT: The health of the donor is the most important consideration. Recently organs from 79-year-old Bob Graham of Prince George were successfully transplanted after his death. Organs from older donors are given to age-appropriate recipients.
MYTH: Living kidney donors could be in trouble if they ever need a new kidney themselves.
FACT: When someone gives a kidney, the medical community takes that under consideration if that person ever develops kidney disease of their own and ensures they have great access to available kidneys.
MYTH: Donor registration is tied to your driver's license.
FACT: According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the B.C. branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, two thirds of respondents said they indicated their intent to donate on their driver's license. In fact, the province moved away from that practice in 1997. Currently BC Transplant operates its own registry. Information on how to register, or check to see if you've already registered is available by visiting transplant.bc.ca or by calling 1-800-663-6189.
