‘Give Life Alberta’ flag will fly to honour those whose organs save lives

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on April 22, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

As a tribute to those in Alberta who have given the gift of life to others, the Give Life Alberta flag will be raised at the University of Alberta Hospital for two weeks every year.

The two weeks include National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, which is this week, and Living Donation Week, which runs from Sept. 7-13 this year.

“It’s important to remember (donation) is not something to take for granted,” said Give Life Alberta medical director Dr. Andreas Kramer. “Often we have to have these conversations at a difficult time in patients’ lives, or their families’ lives, and we’re just really grateful that so many Albertans are willing to make that decision.”

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a tissue donor can save or dramatically improve up to 75 lives, says AHS, and 2024 was a record year with 317 deceased organ and tissue donors.

There are more than 500 people waiting for life-saving transplants in the province.

One such donor, 43-year-old Kathleen McGee, requested that her husband Adam Lampman make sure she donated everything she could after her death. When McGee passed of colorectal cancer in 2024, she was eligible to donate her eyes, and her corneas have restored sight for one person.

“She had such a genuine care for people and wanted to be able to provide either life or a positive aspect of life to someone even when she wasn’t here anymore,” said Lampman.

For others, the flag is a symbol of recognition for the people who helped to save their lives, such as elementary school teacher Reaghan Manyluk.

“I’ve been able to enjoy some incredible moments that I never thought I’d live to see, such as my grandmother’s 97th birthday and the births of my niece and nephew,” said Manyluk. “I think about my donor often and thank them for my life.”

Albertans are encouraged to register their intent to donate online at GiveLifeAlberta.ca or at a motor vehicle registry office, and to tell their loved ones about their donation decision, says AHS.

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