An essential discussion
Family Discussions
Family discussions sparked by education and carried forward by informed and engaged youth.
Why youth as ambassadors of family discussions
By participating in the Chain of Life program, students gain essential knowledge about organ and tissue donation. They learn under what circumstances donation can occur, what its main steps are, and the human and medical realities that surround it. Understanding, reflecting, and engaging in dialogue in the classroom about organ and tissue donation allows young people to form an informed personal opinion, one they can then share with their loved ones.
By bringing these conversations home, youth open the door to family discussions and help shed light on realities that are still not well understood, such as the rarity of organ donation. In doing so, they become ambassadors of family discussions. Ultimately, Chain of Life hopes to reach the entire population.
Family discussions makes a difference!
In practice, families play an important role at the time of organ donation. Learning and talking together helps them better understand certain realities, including neurological death, and grasp what happens in a situation that is rare, complex, and deeply emotional, before it ever occurs.
Being well informed helps families reflect together and make a thoughtful, informed decision. When this conversation has already taken place, loved ones may feel better prepared to face a moment marked by shock, intense emotions, and grief.
For all these reasons, having these informed family discussions is essential. Have you had it?
YOUTH MADE AWARE
WELL-INFORMED FAMILIES
MORE LIVES SAVED
The Importance of Sharing Your Wishes
A testimonial from Sylvie Massia: a discussion that saved four lives.
A moving account by Sylvie Massia about her daughter, Stéphanie Tapp who donated her organs. Stéphanie had done the Chain of Life program in class.
A word from Dr. Daniel Borsuk: it always starts with education.
Dr. Daniel Borsuk, physician-surgeon, testifies about the importance of educating our youth and making their wishes known.
Signing Isn’t Enough!
Why signing your health insurance card is not enough
You‘ve signed your health insurance card and you think that’s all there is to it?
Wrong!
You must also talk with your loved ones, because in Quebec, the medical team always respects the family’s decision. A decision extremely difficult to make for a grieving family.
If your loved ones know your wishes, it will help them immensely with a decision that must be made with extreme urgency.
In order to make your consentement to organ and tissue donation known, you can:
- sign the sticker designed for this and stick it on the back of your health insurance card;
- enter your consent in the Registre des consentements au don d’organes et de tissus managed by RAMQ;
- sign the Consent Registry for Organ and Tissue Donations of the Chambre des notaires du Québec when drawing up your will.
But, most of all, you must talk about it with your family.
Like a Child Blowing on a Dandelion...
The impact of the donation of just one organ is immeasurable. There is, of course, the life of the transplant recipient that is forever changed. And, the transplant will also have an impact on all those with whom the person rubs shoulders: family, friends, co-workers...
And that is for just one organ! The same is true for the other organs and tissues transplanted. When you think that a single person can donate up to 8 organs and 20 tissues! Imagine what an impact that could have! Imagine all the people whose lives would be affected!
If more people decided to donate their organs, the impact would spread like the grains of a dandelion blown by a child... Have you discussed organ and tissue donation with your loved ones?
Donor Families
It is donor families who make organ donation possible. During a particularly trying time, they made the decision to offer others the chance to live longer or enjoy a better quality of life. Without them, there would be no organ and tissue donation. Along with the donors, these families are real heroes.
I fought upto the end upto him
And you gave me his life
In exchange for a blow of breath
That I multiply