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Kidney Foundation recognizes Service B.C

Service B.C. has been working to promote registration to become an organ donor
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Mickey Wojnarowski

Over 500 people in British Columbia are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Last year, 30 people died while waiting.

Mickey Wojnarowski was one of those waiting for a donor.

“I found out I had a really rare liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, PSC,” he said. “Basically what that is, is scar tissue inside the bile ducts, inside the liver. The bile builds up, and is unable to leave the liver, it just stays and backs up. Bile being caustic, it starts eating away at your liver, causing sclerosis.”

After being matched with his wife for a live transplant, Wojmarowski now has a new liver, and

wants to help raise awareness about organ donation in the province.

Only 20 per cent of B.C. residents are registered as organ donors Service B.C. wants to help change that.

Since April, they’ve been working with B.C. Transplant and the Kidney Foundation in order to

increase the number of donors in the province.

They’re not asking people to become donors. They’re just asking people to register a “yes” or “no” decision. So far, 15 people have registered at the Service B.C. in Nakusp.

In recognition of their work, they have been awarded the Community Leadership Award by the

Kidney Foundation of Canada.

“The Kidney Foundation made it a goal a year ago to increase transplantation and organ donation registration by 50 per cent over the next five years,” said Edna Humphreys of the B.C. Kidney Foundation.

Humphreys said with over 500 people in the province needing an organ transplant, about 400 of

that number need a kidney, which is why the Kidney Foundation is spearheading the campaign.

“Since Service B.C. came on in April, the number of organ donors has increased over 19,000. It’s up the provincial average by 15 per cent already.” she said.