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Join us for a special webinar on Sept. 13 as we discuss Expectations vs Reality: The Long-Term Effects of Living Kidney Donation on Donors.

Our webinar takes place during Living Donation Week. This special week, established by the University Health Network (UHN) Centre for Living Organ Donation, launched in 2020. It is an annual event that raises awareness about the cause and that intends to improve access and equity in living organ donation. During Living Donation Week, September 11-17, the UHN Centre for Living Organ Donation, supported by the transplant community, will hold a series of events across Canada to raise awareness about living organ donation and to celebrate living donors, transplant recipients, and Team Transplant in the hope of inspiring individuals to further explore living organ donation. The week-long events will include workshops, webinars, virtual celebrations, a Canada-wide pitch competition highlighting living donation care, research & education, and a “Light-Up” event, where landmarks across Canada will be lit up green from coast-to-coast. Learn more about Living Donation Week 2022.

With 77% of Canadians* waiting for an organ transplant in need of a kidney, The Kidney Foundation is proud to support Living Donation week. “Living donation is an altruistic act that decreases the wait-time for people in need of a kidney, improving their health and quality of life,” explains Lydia Lauder, National Director of Programs & Public Policy. “The Kidney Foundation is working closely with representatives from healthcare, industry, and government to help close the gap between the number of organs needed for transplant and the number of organs available to those in need”.   

The Kidney Foundation has actively advocated for improved access to living organ donation and supported living organ donors through their journey. In 2021, the Foundation became part of the Living Donor Circle of Excellence program and implemented a Wage Replacement Policy for Living Organ and Tissue Donation that aims to abolish barriers to organ and tissue donation by ensuring an employee’s income remains unaffected throughout the donation process and for up to 15 weeks of recovery. 

“Deciding to become a living kidney donor is one of the biggest decisions you can make during your lifetime,” adds Sylvie Charbonneau, National President of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. “It’s natural to have some concerns. That’s why it’s important to be well informed and to fully understand the risks and benefits.”

Register today for our webinar, Expectations vs. Reality of Living Donation, on September 13 at 1:00 pm EDT, which will tackle the real aspects of the donation process from the patient’s perspective. 

* Source: Why Canada Needs More Organ Donors fact sheet, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, 2022.