The BC Association of Chiefs of Police and Lower Mainland police forces are bringing awareness to the urgent need of organ donors throughout the province.
Police and the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch are inviting the media to join them today as they promote “Heroes aren’t born, they’re registered,” a campaign aimed at helping organizations like the BC Association of Chiefs of Police raise awareness about the seriousness of kidney disease and encourage organ donor registration amongst their police officers and the communities they serve.
There are currently over 600 people in BC waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and almost 500 of those are waiting for a kidney. Thousands more British Columbians are on dialysis, and approximately 50% of them will die before they get a kidney transplant. There is no cure for kidney disease but a transplant can offer a better quality of life.
To help address this critical situation, the Kidney Foundation of Canada has committed to increase organ donor registration and kidney transplantation by 50% over the next five years. Right now, 95% of British Columbians say they support organ donation, but only 20% have actually registered on BC’s organ donor registry.
The Kidney Foundation and community leaders, including the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, recognize that action needs to happen now to give hope to kidney patients who need a life-saving transplant.
