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In the 1930s, a young Dr. Willem Kolff witnessed the slow and painful death of a 22-year-old man with acute kidney failure. This experience was a watershed moment in Dr. Kolff's medical career, leading him to invent one of the foremost life-saving instruments in the history of modern medicine – the hemodialysis machine. In 1945, Dr. Kolff conducted the first successful dialysis treatment. The truth is, we should call dialysis life support.

Since then, doctors, nurses, dieticians, administrators, researchers, patients, and caregivers have continued to work together to alter and improves patients' lives on dialysis. But what about patients waiting for a liver, a lung or a heart? Their only treatment is the ultimate gift of life, an organ or tissue donation.

Over four years ago, the Kidney Foundation Northern Alberta and The Territories Branch joined a collaborative known as the Alberta ORGANization Group (AOG). Our joint commitment and resolve to saving lives through no missed donor opportunities lead us to push for a new and improved path forward. A path that seeks strong leadership from government…a path that pushes and demands system changes in organ and tissue donation and transplantation…a path that will Save Lives AND Save Money.

Over these past few years, passionate and committed individuals have inspired and developed the path forward. One thing we have found most inspiring is that the AOG collaborative encompasses three individuals who are recipients of the Order of Canada. These three individuals have been recognized in the highest honour that our great country can bestow on a citizen.

Brian Felesky, Member, Order of Canada. Combining commitment with dedication, Brian has made substantial contributions to his profession and his community. He is a founding partner in the law firm, Felesky Flynn, and a former president of the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch). As founder and co-chair of HomeFront, Brian was instrumental in establishing a coordinated community program to reduce domestic violence. Bringing both focus and energy to his voluntary activities, he has served in various leadership roles and is the Alberta ORGANization Group's co-Founder.

Dr. Greg Powell, Officer, Order of Canada. An educator and physician, Dr. Powell has improved emergency health services for critically ill or injured Canadians. His belief that seconds count in a medical emergency became the impetus for the 1985 launch of an air ambulance service, now known as Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS). Since its inception, with its fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft, STARS has become a vital link in the "chain of survival" and serves as a model for similar services worldwide. He is at present, focusing much of his time and energy on organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Dr. Lori West, Officer, Order of Canada. As a clinician-scientist, pediatric transplant cardiologist and basic science transplant immunologist, Dr. West is the founding Scientific Director of the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program (CDTRP) and Director of the Alberta Transplant Institute. Bringing together the Canadian donation, solid organ transplant, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant research communities with dozens of partners across sectors and disciplines, alongside patients, families and donors, the CDTRP created a new nationalframework for collaboration and team science. She is recognized for her leadership in organ transplantation and donation, notably for her breakthrough research in infant heart transplantation.

The Kidney Foundation is humbled to stand beside these superheroes who are dedicating their knowledge, skill, time and commitment to improving the lives of all Albertans waiting for an organ or tissue. Together, we will honour the wishes of individuals who chose to donate and the far too many Albertans who have died waiting. They know that every face is a mother, a father, a family member, a neighbour, a friend….a loved one. And they will not rest until the path forward is achieved.

Shouldn't our government leaders listen to the call for the best patient and economic outcome system changes from these extremely knowledgeable and dedicated individuals? Indeed, they have, but sadly, it hasn't been enough.

The truth is, they can't do it alone. We can't do it alone. It will take all of us to move forward to save lives.

We just marked a new year – 2021. We all know about the challenges we have faced. But we are here to remind you, and most importantly, to remind our leaders that there are thousands of people waiting to live a more fulsome life. To contribute to our communities. To make Alberta stronger.

We still have a lot to do, but The Kidney Foundation has played a strong role in advocacy since its formation. We have strengthened our efforts to mobilize patient voices to improve Alberta's organ and tissue donation and transplant system. Join us as we choose to leave this world a better place than whence we found it. Get involved: MoreTransplants.ca.

And as Margaret Mead so eloquently said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it's only this that ever has."