Actor's death shines light on organ donation
March 27, 2009
Comments on this story
(10)
Emily Mathieu
STAFF REPORTER
News that the family of actor Natasha Richardson donated her organs following a fatal head injury on a Quebec ski slope could indirectly save the lives of Canadians in desperate need of transplant surgeries.
"Yes, when organ donation catches the public's attention –and there is no stronger way than when a celebrity dies – it does create a spike in public support for donation," said Dr. Frank Markel, president and chief executive of the Trillium Gift of Life Network.
Any high-profile incident – like a recent episode of the television show ER about organ donation – can result in an increase, he said.
This week, People magazine reported Richardson's family agreed to donate her organs.
Richardson was taken off life support last Wednesday, two days after injuring her head in a skiing fall at Mont Tremblant, Que.
In Ontario, about 85 per cent of organs come from brain-dead patients, with nearly half from people injured in an accident, Markel said.
Without commenting on Richardson's case, Markel said the organs harvested from a brain-dead patient would be the kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart and in some cases the small bowel. "So, she could save as many as eight lives."
Markel said while public support for organ donation is strong, it is not top of mind for Canadians.
"So it takes an event like this, it takes somebody very well-known and loved to make people think about this," he said.
About 1,700 people are waiting for transplants in Ontario. "We lose about 120 a year," Markel said.
People interested in learning how to donate, or how to discuss organ donation with a family member can go to www.giftoflife.on.ca.
Toronto Star
Featured Sponsored Listings