The Foundation receives no government funding. Founded in 1964, The Kidney Foundation of Canada funds research, provides services for special needs of kidney patients and their families, advocates for access to high quality health care and actively promotes awareness of, and commitment to, organ donation. According to a recent Environics survey commissioned by the Kidney Foundation of Canada and Organ Donation Ontario, most people are aware of the life-saving benefits of organ transplantation. Many more support organ donation but haven t yet signed cards. Either way, unless their families are aware of their wishes, those good intentions may never come to be.
Organ donation can t happen without family consent.
That s why it s so important for family members to know and respect one another s wishes. Ontario s organ donation rate is among the lowest in the industrialized world. In 1999, there were only 140 donors, down from 152 the year before. Cooper says it s important for people to understand just how much organ donation means to those waiting for a transplant. For every suitable donor, up to 11 recipients benefit through improved quality of life, increased productivity and better health.