What Would YOU Do? with Ceanna MacDonald

The Identity Project; a My Why Podcast

The Government of Canada website states: "Half of all Canadians are fit to donate blood, but only 1 in 60 Canadians gave blood last year. Our organ donation rates are also lower than many countries, including the United States. (March 2020)" We have information on donating below after show notes... April is organ donation awareness month and to honour this important event we have organ donor Mrs. Ceanna MacDonald in to share what it was like donating her kidney to then boyfriend, Duncan. She is real and raw and this is a cast you do not want to miss... PLEASE NOTE: Dates discussed in this podcast have changed due to COVID-19. Unfortunately many of the events have been cancelled. However, we can still support worthy causes from home! 1:30 How did Ceanna and Duncan meet? 3:10 How did the disease factor into your early relationship? 4:11 "You need a donor." 5:00 "You could see your future and then..." 5:25 Extreme exhaustion but making the most of life 7:35 "We were never told this." 7:47 Peritonial Dialysis 8:40 Regular life must go on 10:50 Calling in to donate 10:58 "He didn't want me to donate." 12:38 Getting the call you aren't a match 12:57 The difference three hours can make 15:25 The white coats... 15:45 The support group 17:20 Medications for this donation 20:18 Rarity of the disease and chemo medications 23:05 Pregnancy risks? 24:46 What do you wish you would have known? 27:36 "I thought I was going to loose him." 27:51 What would you tell someone interested in donating? 30:40 Local events and broadening your circle Some information may have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Becoming a Donor in Saskatchewan: (found March 2020) Add an Organ and Tissue Donor sticker to your Saskatchewan Health Services card and sign the Intention to Donate card (available from eHealth Saskatchewan by calling 1-800-667-7551.) Talk to your family​ about your decision to be a donor, so they can support your wishes. Information from: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/organdonation (https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/organdonation) Becoming A Donor in Alberta: (found March 2020) To give consent to be an organ or tissue donor in Alberta you must be 18 or older: register on the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry(AOTDR), and mail or fax a copy of your completed (dated, signed, and witnessed) donation consent form (as per Human Tissue and Organ Donation Act) to Alberta Health, or. Information from: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/pages/otdrhome.aspx (https://myhealth.alberta.ca/pages/otdrhome.aspx)