I had a chance to talk with Lloyd and at that time he told me he found it "stunning to be in a room with so many people whose lives have been saved and changed by a transplant". He then said if I could send him some data on transplantation he would speak about it in Parliament.
I sent him some information and on April 22, 2005 he rose in the House of Commons and made the following remarks as printed in the Official Report of House of Commons Debates (Hansard) that Lloyd's office kindly sent to me:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week.
I was fortunate to attend the Brant County Organ Donation Awareness curling bonspiel held April 9 at the Brantford Golf and Country Club. It was very moving and inspiring to hear from those who had received the gift of life through organ donation.
Canada has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the world at 13 donors per million population. Some areas, such as Toronto, have only 10 donors per million population.
In Canada, up to 30 percent of people waiting for a solid organ transplant die on the waiting list. There is a chronic shortage of hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers and bowels for transplant in Canada. There are more than 3,500 people awaiting organ transplants in this country.
In recent months there has been much attention focused on the idea of creating a living will. It is my hope that all Canadians will take the time to speak to their families about organ and tissue donation".
Please join me in thanking Lloyd for his efforts on behalf of those waiting for their "Gift of Life". If you wish to send a personal note of thanks to Lloyd for promoting organ & tissue donation you can email him:
Lloyd St. Amand M.P.
Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life - Talk to your family and sign your donor card. Your decision can make a difference.
Donor cards available from Trillium Gift of Life Network
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