RE/MAX of Western Canada is proud to support National Organ Donor Awareness Week, April 19-26, 2009, designated by the Canadian Association of Transplantation. With the continued support of RE/MAX of Western Canada and other organizations helping spread the word on the need for organ donors, the BC Transplant Organization performed a record 266 organ transplants in 2008. RE/MAX provides a link from their website, www.remax-western.ca, to the provincial transplant programs for organ donation registration.
Across the country, 1,803 transplants were performed last year and yet, 193 people died while waiting for a life-saving transplant. Registering your decision to become an organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for up to 80 others. The critical shortage of donors is only increasing, as fewer people are dying in ways that make organ donation an option. This is due to positive factors – improved safety measures such as airbags, and helmet laws, as well as continued advancements in medical care. Nonetheless, the average person is far more likely to need an organ transplant than to be eligible to donate an organ.
“It is our hope that our commitment to raising awareness about the shortage of organ donors, will encourage the public to register their decision or sign a donor card,”said Elton Ash, Regional Executive Vice President, RE/MAX of Western Canada. In BC, the Organ Donor Registry offers four different options for donation, including the option not to donate. “If we do our part as an organization, we can help set another record-breaking year for organ transplants in 2009 and for many years to come.”
RE/MAX of Western Canada became involved with organ donor awareness in 2004 because of the gift of life that one RE/MAX Agent gave to another. Paul Belhumeur, RE/MAX 2000 Realty Guildford, Surrey, BC had been suffering with polycystic kidney disease for 11 years, when he was told by his nephrologists that he would need a new kidney. The doctors advised that Belhumeur had a much better chance of finding his own live donor than waiting on the seven year long organ donor list. He started an email campaign to his friends, family and other contacts to plant the seed that he would soon need a kidney transplant. Individuals, including family members and coworkers from Belhumeur’s office, volunteered to be tested for eligibility however, none made it through the screening process.
Without telling friends or family, Ken Cowie, RE/MAX 2000 Realty Guildford, Surrey, BC, and Belhumeur’s colleague for more than 20 years, decided to get tested for the kidney donation. After six months of thorough testing and screening, Cowie was informed that he was indeed a match. He waited until Belhumeur’s birthday to tell him the great news. Five years later, Belhumeur has made a full recovery and is in great health. Both gentlemen still enjoy being long-time colleagues at the RE/MAX 2000 Realty Guildford office and their friendship has reached a height where each of their moms calls the other ‘son.’
“We are touched that within the RE/MAX family, one person would be willing to give such a life-altering gift to another,” said Marie Sheppy, Senior Coordinator, Corporate Affairs, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “When asked if RE/MAX would help raise awareness about the shortage of organ donor registrants, we jumped at the opportunity. You can never tell if one day, a loved one will need the same selfless gift.”
