One person who signs up to become an organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives or improve the lives of up to 75 people.

 

That statistic is from the David Foster Foundation, which is encouraging Canadians to have conversations and take the leap into becoming a donor as part of Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month.

 

Michael Ravenhill, the foundation’s CEO, says just over four thousand people are currently on the waitlist for an organ or tissue transplant in the country.

 

He adds that while Canada’s donor registration rate has improved over the past ten years, we still have a lower rate when compared to other developed countries.

 

Here, Ravenhill highlights the most needed transplant procedures that need to be done across Canada.

 

“It’s heart, liver, lung, kidney, and multi visceral. Those are the major ones and those are the ones that are often the most needed. Every province is different with those on the registration list and what they need but those are the major ones.”

 

Hear the full interview this afternoon on Thompson Today.