ICBC pilot program launched to increase organ donation

Just released statistics show that 2015 was a record year in B.C. for both people donating andreceiving organs,and now a new pilot program launched by ICBC will try andkeep the trend going.

Starting March 1, ICBCemployees at four driver licensing offices in the Lower Mainland will be encouraging customers to register a "yes" or "no" decision about becoming anorgan donor in the event of an untimely death.

Currently50per cent of British Columbians believe they have already registered a decision on becoming an organ donorwhen, in fact, only 20 per cent actually have.

"We know that an overwhelming number of our customers support organ donation so we're pleased to get behind this important cause," said ICBC presidentMark Blucher.

As of today 508British Columbians are waiting for anorgan according to the BC Transplant website, whileover 950,000 people in the province have registered their decision on organ donation.

2015 was a record year for deceased organ donation, while anall-time high of422 patients received a lifesaving organ transplant, including:

• 271 kidney transplants (161 of which were from deceased donors)
• 79 liver transplants
• 35 lungtransplants

Although anunregistered person can still become an organ donor iftheir family agrees, the registry is an important tool to communicate the wishes of an individual.

People can register their organ donationdecision, or check to see if they're registeredonline at BC Transplantor by calling1-800-663-6189.

The pilot program will run for three months at ICBC offices in North Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kelowna and inRoyal Centre in downtown Vancouver.