Subject: Request for support from the NCLGA Executive for a resolution on organ donor registration

Transcription

1 Received DC Office February 23/16 C-1 From: Karen Philp Sent: February :18 PM Subject: Request for support from the NCLGA Executive for a resolution on organ donor registration Hello Executive Committee members of the North Central Local Government Association, During the September 2015 UBCM meeting in Vancouver, the volunteers of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC & Yukon Branch, launched our Mayors & Councils: Saving Lives Through Organ Donation campaign. Our volunteers are asking to make presentations to their Mayors & Councils throughout February and March 2016 in support of a resolution going forward to the next UBCM meeting in Victoria. More than 500 people are waiting today for an organ transplant, and while 95% of British Columbians support organ donation, only 20% are registered. Unfortunately, far too many British Columbians are dying before they get a life saving transplant. That s why we are writing to ask for your support for a resolution to go forward to the next UBCM convention in September Would you as the members of the NCLGA Executive Committee please support our request for a resolution that would be similar to this draft proposed option? WHEREAS organ donation saves lives; WHEREAS one in 10 of the citizens living in our communities is affected by kidney disease for which an organ donation is the best available option for a patient to live well and contribute fully to their family and their community; WHEREAS BC has one of the lowest organ donor registration rates in Canada; WHEREAS the Kidney Foundation has challenged all Mayors and Council Members to Save Lives by raising awareness for Organ Donor Registration in their communities; AND WHEREAS Mayors and Council Members have the leadership and resolve to encourage citizens in their communities to register as organ donors, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon all Mayors and Council Members to accept the Kidney Foundation s challenge to Save Lives Through Organ Donation in their communities, and to work with the Foundation to increase the number of people registered as organ donors in their respective communities. Attached please find the information that our volunteers are sharing during their presentations to Mayors and Councils across the province. If you have any questions or would like clarification of our request, please contact me directly. Thank you for your consideration. Best wishes, Karen Philp Executive Director The Kidney Foundation of Canada BC & Yukon Branch Canada Way Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 Phone: ext. 224

2 The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch Canada Way Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 T. (604) / F. (604) UBCM: Saving Lives Through Organ Donation & Community Wellness 1 in 10 British Columbians has chronic kidney disease (CKD) today in BC. More than 90% of them just don t know it yet. Kidney disease is a quiet killer. The symptoms often don t show up until it s too late. There is no cure. Across our province, more than 300,000 people have CKD. And the numbers diagnosed is growing. Risk factors contributing to kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, age, a family history of kidney disease or ethnicity: Asian, South Asian or First Nations are at high risk. People with kidney failure require dialysis 3 to 4 days a week in order to survive, but a kidney transplant will let them live well. Unfortunately the need for organs outpaces the supply. BC has the longest wait time for a kidney transplant in Canada, and every year 200 British Columbians will die waiting. But there is good news! First people who are in the early stages of kidney disease may delay the progression or even prevent kidney failure by healthy eating and active living. Knowing your kidney function number is critical to making the lifestyle changes required to be well. Secondly, people can register their wish to be an organ donor and save the lives of up to 8 people! The BC & Yukon Branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada is encouraging public awareness of kidney disease and the need to register your wishes as an organ donor whether it s yes or no. We need your help! As leaders in community wellness, we are asking you to join us in our vision to ensure that everyone who needs a kidney transplant gets one. Our goal is to increase organ donor registration by 50% over the next 5 years or to put it another way, to get 450,000 people across the province to register their wishes. Why? Registration will save lives. Our Challenge to UBCM Encourage community wellness and help us raise awareness about the seriousness of kidney disease and encourage organ donor registration whether yes or no amongst Mayors & Councils and in the communities you serve.

3 Here s how: 1. Support a resolution going forward to the 2016 UBCM meeting in Victoria: WHEREAS organ donation saves lives; WHEREAS one in 10 of the citizens living in our communities is affected by kidney disease for which an organ donation is the best available option for a patient to live well and contribute fully to their family and their community; WHEREAS BC has one of the lowest organ donor registration rates in Canada; WHEREAS the Kidney Foundation has challenged all Mayors and Council Members to Save Lives by raising awareness for Organ Donor Registration in their communities; AND WHEREAS Mayors and Council Members have the leadership and resolve to encourage citizens in their communities to register as organ donors, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon all Mayors and Council Members to accept the Kidney Foundation s challenge to Save Lives Through Organ Donation in their communities, and to work with the Foundation to increase the number of people registered as organ donors in their respective communities. 2. Be a leader in community wellness and organ donation by partnering with the Kidney Foundation of Canada to raise awareness amongst the public in communities across British Columbia. 3. Discuss with us any other ideas you may have to increase community wellness & organ donor registration. What does success look like? In 5 years, together we will have increased the number of registered organ donors by 50%, and we will have cut the wait time for a transplant by 50%. That will save all British Columbians in healthcare costs that may be reallocated to others in need in their community. Please join us in our resolve to make a meaningful difference! For more information, please contact: Karen Philp, Executive Director THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA - BC & YUKON BRANCH Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 Phone: or Toll Free: kphilp@kidney.bc.ca

4 Saving Lives Through Organ Donation Presentation By The Kidney Foundation of Canada BC & Yukon Branch ONE STRONG VOICE Imagine a world where everyone who needs a kidney gets one. Saving Lives through Organ Donation. Will you join us? 1

5 The issue Kidney disease is a silent killer. Dialysis allows patients survive for a time, but only a kidney transplant let s them live. Right now over 3,500 British Columbians are on dialysis & 50% of them will die before they get a kidney transplant. The challenge 95% of British Columbians say they support organ donation, but only 20% have actually registered on the official organ donor registry. 2

6 Our position We cannot stand by while people die needlessly. We must act now to give hope to kidney patients who need a life-saving transplant. Our goal To save lives through increasing the number of registered organ donors in BC & the Yukon. 3

7 Why us? Because 80% of all transplants are kidneys. We also know that when someone registers as an organ donor up to 8 people may ultimately benefit from this generous gift. 4

8 Will you join us? to save lives through encouraging the Union of BC Municipalities to support a resolution on organ donor registration? The UBCM resolution WHEREAS organ donation saves lives; WHEREAS one in 10 of the citizens living in our communities is affected by kidney disease for which an organ donation is the best available option for a patient to live well and contribute fully to their family and their community; WHEREAS BC has one of the lowest organ donor registration rates in Canada; WHEREAS the Kidney Foundation has challenged all Mayors and Council Members to Save Lives by raising awareness for Organ Donor Registration in their communities; 5

9 The UBCM resolution AND WHEREAS Mayors and Council Members have the leadership and resolve to encourage citizens in their communities to register as organ donors, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon all Mayors and Council Members to accept the Kidney Foundation s challenge to Save Lives Through Organ Donation in their communities, and to work with the Foundation to increase the number of people registered as organ donors in their respective communities. Thank you. If you have any questions, please contact: Or Karen Philp at kphilp@kidney.bc.ca Emily Wills at ewills@kidney.bc.ca The Kidney Foundation of Canada BC & Yukon Branch 6

10 Kidney Foundation of Canada British Columbia & Yukon Branch Canada Way, Burnaby BC V5G 4K6 T / F C-1 DID YOU KNOW? A decal on your driver s license or care card is no longer enough. Register to be an organ donor at It takes less than two minutes to register your decision online. Age doesn t matter. Canada s oldest organ donor was 93. One organ donor can save up to 8 lives. You are more likely to need a transplant than you are to become an organ donor. Donation is considered only after all lifesaving efforts are made and it s certain you will not survive. Two doctors, not involved in transplant, must declare your death before organ donation can proceed. Most religions support and encourage organ donation as an act of life saving. If you have a medical condition you may still be able to be a donor. Living kidney donors live a normal healthy life with one kidney. *Stats from BC Transplant 2015

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