SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- A woman in Saint John is lacing up her sneakers in hopes to spread the word about the importance of organ donations.
Kristen Wheaton received a liver transplant that saved her life five years ago.
"I was sick with autoimmune disease and basically waited 18 months for my transplant,” said Wheaton. “Had a few bumps in the road for sure, but really, I got the transplant in July of 2011 and it's been wonderful ever since."
After her transplant, Wheaton took up running – and for the first time, she’s bringing the Transplant Trot to Saint John.
"It’s a celebration of life,” she said. “It's meant to bring awareness to the life people are given after a transplant."
The first Transplant Trot was held in Moncton, but has now become a national event.
"It's held from Saint John right over to Vancouver, and it's raised tens of thousands of dollars for education and awareness," said Wheaton.
Wheaton hopes this event will get people talking about organ donation and see the importance of it.
"You are six times more likely to need a transplant than to ever be a donor," added Wheaton.
The importance of organ donation is something Canadian Blood Services promotes year-round.
"Approximately 4,500 Canadians are waiting to receive an organ or tissue transplantation,” said Michelle Thibodeau. “One-third of those people will never actually receive that transplant, so it's very important for people to register.”
Wheaton says as of Jan. 1, 42 per cent of New Brunswickers are registered donors. She says she'd like to see that number increase and is running proof that becoming an organ donor really can save a life.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Blackford.
