Alberta has marked a record year for deceased organ and/or tissue donors in 2024 according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Alberta’s organ and tissue donation program, Give Life Alberta, reported a record number of donors last year, with a total of 317 deceased organ and/or tissue donors.
Give Life Alberta said the generosity of these people led to 423 organs transplanted in 2024.
This is the third consecutive year for increasing deceased donation rates in the province, with 273 donors in 2023, and 248 donors in 2022.
According to Give Life Alberta, one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a tissue donor can dramatically improve, or sometimes save, up to 75 lives.
“Donation and transplantation makes a huge difference for patients in need of organs or tissues. It can be life-saving. It can have a huge impact on patients’ quality of life,” said Dr. Andreas Kramer, Medical Director of Give Life Alberta in a statement.
“Donation can also provide families with some comfort during a time of great loss. The fact that we’re able to provide that option for more families is good news.”
In Alberta alone, more than 500 people are waiting for life-saving transplants.
In the past few years, the province has introduced initiatives for people who are considering donation, including mandatory referrals, specialized care physicians and a program that unites health-care teams in Edmonton and Calgary.
Albertans are encouraged to register their intent to donate online at GiveLifeAlberta.ca — or at a motor vehicle registry office — and to tell their loved ones about their donation decision as it will be up to them to provide consent.
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