As Be a Donor month continues, Niagara Health is urging more and more people to register themselves to be a donor.
The topic of organ donation can be one that's uncofmortable to some, but can be lifesaving to others.
Speaking to us during Be A Donor Month 2025, Dr. Hari Vasan, who acts as a liason between Niagara Health and Trillium Gift of Life, says organ donation is something very near and dear to him and his family.
The constant worry and dealing with dialysis all came to a halt one day, when Dr. Vasan says his family got a call.
Through the donation, Dr. Vasan says he was able to get valuable time with his father for years to come.
To this day, Dr. Vasan says the importance of his dad receiving a donation has played a role in him pursuing a career in healthcare, where he now serves as a pysician for Niagara Health.
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 4,044 Canadians were waiting for a solid organ transplant as of December 31, 2024. Of these, 70.1% were waiting for a kidney, 14.6% for a liver, 5.6% for a lung, 4.5% for a heart, 2.6% for a pancreas, and 2.5% for a combination of organs.
To register to become a donor, you can visit BeADonor.ca and be registered in less than two minutes.
(Written by: Matt Latour)