The Organ Donation & Transplant Association of Canada has their charity registration revoked

One of the reasons given for rescinding their charity status is that the Organization received $1.8 million as cash donations. Of this amount, $1.3 million was directed to fundraising and administrative fees while only $447,000 or 25% was spent on its own charitable activities.

A charity that has had its charitable status revoked in Canada can no longer issue donation receipts for income tax purposes and is no longer a qualified donee under the Income Tax Act. The organization is no longer exempt from income tax, unless it qualifies as a non-profit organization, and it may be subject to a tax equal to the full value of its remaining assets.

Read the complete decision at Canada Revenue Agency.

The last couple of years I received many reports of telephone solicitation for donations in support of organ donation activities. It usually happens around the time of National Organ and Tissue Donation campaigns in April.

Please be wary when responding to solicitations to "Save a Life Today" or other such slogans.

In addition to soliciting donations for organ donation awareness, some of the scam artists claim to be raising money for organ transplant or medical research and even go so far as to ask for donations of planned gifts (Includes life insurance policies, bequests, annuities, charitable remainder trusts and real estate properties) and major Gifts (Includes large financial donations that are recognized as significant support) all in the name of medical research. Be wary and skeptical.

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Register to be an organ and tissue donor & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Register to be a donor in Ontario at Trillium Gift of Life Network NEW for Ontario: recycleMe.org - Learn The Ins & Outs Of Organ And Tissue Donation. Register Today!
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

In Great Britain, register at NHS Organ Donor Register

In Australia, register at Australian Organ Donor Register

Your generosity can save or enhance the lives of up to fifty people with heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and small intestine transplants (see allotransplantation). One tissue donor can help by donating skin, corneas, bone, tendon, ligaments and heart valves

Has your life been saved by an organ transplant? "Pay it forward" and help spread the word about the need for organ donation - In the U.S. another person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 11 minutes and 18 people die each day waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. Organs can save lives, corneas renew vision, and tissue may help to restore someone's ability to walk, run or move freely without pain. Life Begins with You