News release

Province Encourages Organ, Tissue Donation

Health and Wellness

Nova Scotians are encouraged to register to donate as part of National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week from April 22-27.

The Nova Scotia legislature will be bathed in green light to celebrate the week. The green lights, the official colour of organ and tissue donation, serve as a reminder to Nova Scotians to consider registering as donors and to talk about it with their families.

"We know that it can be a difficult conversation to have, especially when a loved has just been lost, but it's also a conversation about saving lives," said Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson. "Nova Scotians are very generous. Half of our citizens are registered to donate, and we need to build on that generosity with more donors."

Shirley Kelly of Glace Bay had a conversation about organ donation with her 21-year-old son, Adam, a few weeks before he died in accident in 2007.

"As a family grieving the loss of our only son, we wanted to honour his wishes to be a donor," said Mrs. Kelly. "The pride we feel knowing that something good came from something so tragic gives us the strength to go on."

This week, organ and tissue donation awareness is being celebrated across the country. One donor can provide organs such as kidneys, heart, liver and lungs for up to eight people, and tissue, such as skin and corneas, for as many as 40 people.

"People can register as donors on their health cards, and should talk to their families about their decisions," said Corinne Corning, manager of Legacy of Life, Nova Scotia's organ and tissue donation program. "It's important for everyone to ensure that their wishes are known."

For more information on organ and tissue donation and to find out how to register as a donor visit www.legacyoflife.ns.ca .