HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-11-01, Page 34PAGE 34. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000.
Organ donations have lifesaving potential
By Gary Cooper
Executive Director
Organ Donation Ontario
Whether or not people are
themselves willing to sign donor
cards, most appreciate the .
lifesaving potential of organ
transplantation and believe that
organ donation is of benefit to
society.
Thousands of organ recipients
can attest to the second chances
they’ve been given as a result of
the selfless act of a donor family.
Every time a donor is identified,
heroic efforts by doctors and other
transplant professionals turn one
family’s tragedy into another’s
hope.
But believing that organ donation
is a good thing just isn’t enough.
As a result of changes in disease
patterns and advancements in
transplant technology, the number
of people waiting for an organ
continues to rise. Transplant
success rates are higher than ever.
Sadly, however, the organ donor
Alzheimer’s, dementias
threaten well-being
Over 300,000 Canadians age 65
and over are afflicted by
Alzheimer’s disease and other
dementias. And, while not
immediately life threatening, these
conditions can pose serious threats
to the well being of these patients.
The confusion, disorientation,
and loss of communication ability
that accompany Alzheimer’s often
mean that when a patient wanders
away from home or becomes lost,
there is no immediate way of
identifying that person. There is
also no way of determining if they
have a particular medical condition,
such as diabetes, that may need
attention.
The Canadian Medic Xlert
Foundation provides peace of mind
for thousands of these individuals
and their caregivers. Through
immediate access to emergency
medical information and member
identification, the wearer of a
MedicAlert bracelet or necklet can
be helped even if that person is
unable to speak for him or herself.
If individuals with a tendency to
wander should lose, or are not
carrying identification the results
can be serious. Although the police
are almost always called in such
cases, the patient can be extremely
difficult to locate. And, once found,
it can take hours for them to be
identified and returned to their
caregivers.
Additionally, if they’re suffering
from another pre-existing medical
condition such as diabetes, or are
injured in any way while
wandering, their lives can be at
serious risk. As well, when
Alzheimer’s patients become
highly anxious, their ability to
function decreases even further.
MedicAlert’s 24-hour emergency
hotline, confidential centralized
database and wallet card, give first
responders instant access to a
person's personal and medical
information. MedicAlert protects
almost one million Canadians,
anywhere in the world, in 140
languages. For someone with a
family member who has
Alzheimer’s, A MedicAlert
bracelet can mean peace of mind.
For someone with Alzheimer’s, a
MedicAlert bracelet can be a
lifesaver.
For more information or to
become a member of MedicAlert,
please call toll-free (Monday to
Friday, 8 a.m.,to 7:30 p.m. EST) 1-
800-668-1507, or visit
MedicAlert’s web site at
www.medicalert.ca To arrange a
MedicAlert educational seminar in
Ontario please call 1-800-668-1507
ext. 257. MedicAlert® is a
Registered Trademark and Service
Mark.
rate has not kept pace.
Less than two per cent of all
deaths occur in such a way that
organ donation is medically
possible. For this reason alone, it is
vital that everyone willing to be an
organ donor signs and carries a
donor card and makes family
members aware of their wishes.
With such a small proportion of
eligible donors, it is tragic when
even one opportunity for donation
is missed because someone who
might have been willing to be a
donor had not broached the subject
with loved ones.
Public awareness and open
discussion are the keys to
increasing organ donor rates.
Everyone needs to know that
having an organ donor card will in
no way compromise the medical
care they receive.
Family members need to know
each others’ wishes. Medical
professionals need to know how to
identify and care for a potential
donor and how to discuss donation
with families.
And, as many donor families will
attest, people need to know that
donating a loved one’s organs can
bring comfort in times of grief.
Clearly, organ donation is a
community issue. Members of your
community are waiting for the
second chance that can only come
from an organ donor. Others are
alive and well today because
they’ve received just such a chance.
Some have lost friends or family
because their chance didn’t come in
time. Still others have faced the
pain of a loved one’s death
knowing that their loss has offered
hope to a number of patients and
their families.
Chances are, you know someone
in at least one of these categories.
Chances are, you’ll know more.
Talk about organ donation. Make
your wishes known. Respect the
wishes of your loved ones. Don’t
wait.
To obtain an organ donor card or
more information on organ
donation, please contact Organ
Donation Ontario at 1-800-263-
2833.
LAWN
PROBLEMS?
Call...
524-2424
OPEN HOUSE
MS lives here.
Multiple sclerosis
usually strikes
people aged
20 to 40,
in the prime
of their lives.
MS Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada
T800-268-7582 www.mssociety.ca
WINTER
ESCAPES
■ - z \
Portugal
Where the Atlantic meets EimpeQj
Gail Brownlee
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Monica Isabel Oceanview Hotel
Includes All Meals & Drinks
2 weeks from $1799
TREASURES OF
PORTUGAL Plus
10 Day Tour + 11 Days Algarve
£ March 17 - April 8, 2001
s 3 weeks only $3099 inclusive
CM*
V Prices in Canadian dollars (p.p./dbl) JM Vacations Brochure
Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel
Exeter www.ettravel.com/hotdeals
(519) 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022
Friday November 3, 2000 3 pm to 9 pm
Saturday November 4, 2000 10 am to 3 pm
FREE Giveaways
Posters - Calendars - Skidoo Decals - Videos
70%OFF SPECIAL RACK
Plus*NO TAXES*
Parts
Clothing
Accessories
NO TAXES
•100. OFF
Ski-doo
Champlain
Jackets
Rockford
Leather Gloves
w
$159.95
NO TAXES
Volume
DISCOUNTS
On injection,
Oil & Spark
Plugs
Helmets
NO TAXES
ski-doo.
• Beanies
• Slippers Adult
& kids
• Sunglasses
• Key chains
New & Used - On
ski-doo.
BOMBARDIER jBfc. iR
RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS
www.teamvincent.com
Display
LVINCENT
(519)527-0120
SEAFORTH