From YLE News in Finland:
Finland is not alone. There's a worldwide shortage of organ donors; For example, in the United States there are almost 100,000 people waiting for a life saving transplant. According to OrganDonor.gov at the half way point of this year just a little under 7,000 transplants have been performed, with 3,375 donors involved.
Only a small fraction of needed organ transplants are carried out in Finland because of a lack of donors
There is an especially acute need for kidneys. Nationwide, only about half of those who would benefit from a kidney transplant operation actually get one.
Organ transplant surgery in Finland is concentrated in Helsinki. Hospitals in other parts of the country provide available organs to a pan-European transplant organ bank.
Heikki Wiik, chief surgeon at Oulu's University Hospital, says that the system would work faster if people would fill out donor cards, available for example at pharmacies. This, he says, would also increase the number of organs available for transplants.
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Register to be a donor in Ontario or Download Donor Cards from Trillium Gift of Life Network
For other Canadian provinces click here
In the United States, be sure to find out how to register in your state at ShareYourLife.org or Download Donor Cards from OrganDonor.Gov
Your generosity can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance another 50 through cornea and tissue donation
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