OTTAWA, Sept. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Jordan Banks, Managing Director of Facebook® Canada was joined by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Minister of Health and Hélène Campbell, double-lung transplant recipient to launch the availability of Facebook's organ donation tool in Canada.
Millions of people around the globe are waiting for a heart, kidney, liver or lung transplant that could potentially save their lives. Many people waiting never receive a transplant, because there simply are not enough organ donors to meet the need. Broader awareness about organ donation could go a long way and could potentially save lives.
Facebook believes that by simply telling people that you're an organ donor, the power of sharing and connection can play an important role in raising awareness of organ donation and encouraging others to become registered organ donors.
"I have come to see that through social media the generosity of the human spirit shines through. 'Sharing Your Organ Donor Status' through Facebook will grow awareness in Canada, giving hope to those waiting on a life-saving transplant. Today, that light shines brighter," said Hélène Campbell, double-lung transplant recipient.
Facebook first launched this tool in the US and UK in May, and have since launched to 12 more countries. Since the feature's launch in May, there have been more than 275,000 registrations in total.
"Today's launch will make it easier for Canadians to learn more and talk about organ donation," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Minister of Health. "Thanks to wonderful people like Hélène Campbell, more Canadians are starting to realize the human face of organ donation."
Starting today, people in Canada can state their intent to become an organ donor on their Facebook timeline, and share their story about when, where or why they decided to become a donor. If people are not already registered with their provincial donor registry, they can find a link to the official donor registry on their timeline as well.
"Facebook is about connecting and sharing. We believe that by simply telling people that you're an organ donor, the power of sharing and connection can play an important role in solving the organ crisis in Canada," said Jordan Banks, Managing Director, Facebook Canada.
Facebook's mission is simple: to make the world more open and connected. One individual can have an outsized impact on the challenges facing another, and on the world.
To learn more about how the organ donation tool works, please take a look at this video: https://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=338196302902319#How-do-I-share-that-I%E2%80%99m-an-organ-donor-on-Facebook.
Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to make the world more open and connected. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, to discover what's going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.
SOURCE: Facebook® Canada
Claire LaRocca
High Road Communications (on behalf of Facebook)
(416) 368-8348 ext. 207
[email protected]
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