The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Quebec Branch is delighted with Quebec
Health Minister's announcement to facilitate organ donation

MONTREAL, Nov. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - The Kidney Foundation of Canada is delighted with today's announcement by the Honourable Yves Bolduc, Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services, that steps will be taken to facilitate organ and tissue donation in the province. In 2009, 941 Quebecers were on the waiting list for a kidney, representing 78% of people on the waiting list for an organ transplant.

Given its deep concern about the current widespread organ shortage in Quebec, The Kidney Foundation enthusiastically welcomes the proposed bill to facilitate organ donation, including the development of an intent to donate registry to be administered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, changes to the labour standards, the creation of a program to reimburse the expenses of living donors and Quebec's participation in the Canadian living donor paired exchange registry.

These changes reflect solid advances in the area of organ donation in Quebec. These types of initiatives are significant in facilitating organ donation, particularly in relation to the reimbursement of expenses for living donors. Expenses can easily amount to several thousands of dollars when donors have to travel long distances or be away from work and home for an extended period of time. Moreover, the change to the labour standards in the bill being tabled recognizes the needs of workers who must be absent from their place of employment in order to act as a living donor and provide the gift of life.

"All these initiatives will facilitate organ donation in Quebec, and will help more patients waiting for a transplant to have access to one more quickly. Organ transplants from a living donor show significantly better results and can last for over 20 years,'' noted Dr. Michel R. Pâquet, Chair of the Organ and Tissue Donation Committee of The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Quebec Branch.

"The Kidney Foundation of Canada is pleased that a project we have strongly supported has become a reality," notes Martin Munger, Executive Director of the Quebec Branch of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. ''We are particularly pleased with the reimbursement of donor expenses. Donating a kidney is already a highly altruistic gesture, so we are happy that the bill limits financial losses associated with organ donation."

Although a transplant is not a cure, it is the ideal treatment for terminal kidney failure and significantly improves patients' quality of life.

About The Kidney Foundation of Canada

The Kidney Foundation of Canada was founded in 1964 as a national volunteer organization committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease. Since its establishment, the Foundation has funded and stimulated innovative research into kidney disease;  educational and support programs; promoted access to high quality healthcare and increased public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.

For further information:

Louise Deguire
Director of Communications
Tel.: [phone], Ext. 225
[email protected]