News

On October 17, we observe World Organ Donation Day. Created in the mid-2000s and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), this day is meant to honor donors and raise public awareness about the importance of organ donation—whether made during one’s lifetime or after death.

Why is this so crucial?

Because every year, thousands of people are waiting for an organ to survive, and sadly, many die due to a lack of available donors and organs in time.

How is Canada doing?

Canada has made great strides in organ donation. In 2024, over 3,200 transplants were performed. But there is still much work to be done. Even today, more than 4,000 Canadians are on a waiting list, and the majority of them are waiting for a kidney.

The Kidney: The Most Requested Organ

Indeed, the kidney is the most transplanted organ in the country, representing nearly 60% of all transplants. This is due to the growing number of people affected by chronic kidney disease, and the fact that dialysis, although essential, is not a long-term solution.

Unlike most organs, a kidney can be donated by a living person, since it’s possible to live a healthy life with just one kidney. Kidney transplants have a high success rate: 90% for living donors and nearly 80% for deceased donors. Yet despite these encouraging statistics, the number of donors remains limited and still falls short of meeting the demand year after year.

What Can We Do?

The best thing we can do today is to sign the back of our health insurance card or register our consent with the RAMQ’s Organ and Tissue Donation Registry (or with the Quebec Chamber of Notaries), and most importantly, to let our loved ones know about our decision. It’s simple, quick, and it can save lives.

Louise Laviolette is one of those whose life was transformed by a kidney donation in 2013, nearly 30 years after being diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition that can lead to end-stage renal failure. Louise fought the disease until she reached the point where a transplant was her only option to continue living. She spent 5 years on a waiting list, including 3 years on dialysis, before receiving the long-awaited call. Her transplant was successful, and today she enjoys every moment of life with her family. Louise has also been a volunteer with The Kidney Foundation for several years, actively participating in the Kidney Walk and awareness-raising activities to share her experience with the public and patients - thank you, Louise!

On this October 17, let’s think of those waiting for an organ, thank the donors, and remember that each of us can make a difference.