Organ donation in Alberta continues to rise, organization reports

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on August 6, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Give Life Alberta reported a record number of donors last year, resulting in 423 organs transplanted, saving hundred of lives.

In total, there were 317 deceased organ or tissue donors, making these procedures possible. This is the third consecutive year for increasing deceased donation rates in the province, with 273 donors in 2023 and 248 donors in 2022, said Alberta Health Services.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a tissue donor can dramatically improve, or sometimes save, up to 75 lives. There is a constant need for organ transplants across Canada, with more than 500 people waiting for life-saving transplants in Alberta alone.

Mike Cahill of Calgary received a life-saving kidney transplant from a deceased donor in 2024, after more than three years on at-home and in-clinic dialysis.

“My life was on hold. It felt like having a weight on every limb. It was hard to work up the willpower to go do anything,” says Cahill. “(My donor) had all their life ahead of them, as well. I’m eternally grateful to their family. It definitely was a life-changing decision.”

“Donation and transplantation makes a huge difference for patients in need of organs or tissues. It can be life-saving. It can have a huge impact on patients’ quality of life,” said Dr. Andreas Kramer, Medical Director of Give Life Alberta. “Donation can also provide families with some comfort during a time of great loss. The fact that we’re able to provide that option for more families is good news.”

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, as it will be up to them to provide consent.

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