The mayor of Fredericton says he making a plea for more people to become organ donors to council, with hopes of making the donation process easier.
"I know the system we have in the driver’s licenses now says check off if you want to be a donor, I think you should have to check off if you don't," said Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside.
He’s hoping in the very least, it will create more awareness around becoming an organ donor.
"There are too many people who don't make it because there are not enough donors,” said Woodside. “I don't think it's because people don't want to – I think it's the system we have right now."
Kristen Wheaton, who received a liver transplant five years ago, says 42 per cent of New Brunswickers have registered to be a donor. She says 34 per cent have registered not to be a donor and 24 per cent are unknown.
She’s working to get more of those unknown to become donors.
Wheaton also wants to talk to those who have chosen not to be a donor, and ask them why.
"Sometimes it's just a miscommunication or myths that they just don't realize what being a donor means,” she said. “You are six times more likely to need a transplant than you are to actually be a donor."
Andrew Currie knows that all too well. He had his first lung transplant in September 2012, and second nearly three years later.
He’s now working on using those lungs to the best of their ability.
"It saved my life,” said Currie. “It gave me more time with my kids, with my wife. It gave me a new life."
Braden Gendron is another. The 17-year-old’s double lung transplant meant he could play hockey again.
Gendron calls his donor his hero.
"I'm playing on the provincial lacrosse team,” he said. “I just ran a 5k. I'm just a normal guy now."
Woodside says he'll make the presentation at Fredericton City Council Monday night.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
