WhltbyFre.e, ,Wodeiscy, Aprit t(,.1994.. PM ?27 ORGA NI A WA REN#ESS ' WEEK April 18 to 24 ja fJrgan Donor Awarenesa Wee/k. The following article wq,, writteit by Martha Godinan of Whidby on behoif of Multiple Orgczn Retrievol and Exchange (MORE). The biggest milestone reached in the treatment of heart disease was on Dec. 3, 1967 when Dr. Christiaan Neethling Barnard, 45, of Groote Schuur Hospital in Capetown, South Africa, performed the very first heart transplant. The recipient, 54.year-old Louis Washkansky, was given a second chance at survi val by having his afing heart replaced with the healthy heart of a young woman fatally irijured in a car accident. However, due te post-operative complications brought on by pneumonia, Washkansky died 18 days later. By the end of 1968, nearly 100 heart transplants had been performed worldwi de. Unfortunately, the number of surgeries soon decreased dras- tically as it became evident that the bodys immunity mechanisms caused deterioration and rejection of the transplanted organs. Any transplant performed between two i ndividuals who are not identical twins is subject toaa process lcnown as rejection. Today, heart transplants have corne a long way since Dr. Barnard's pioneenng heart transplant surgery. After a successful transplant, recipients must take immuno-suppressant drugs te, prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. Thi s is usually a lifetirne commitment. The good news is that the patient has a good chance at full recovery and can resurne normal activities within a few months. According to Robert Smith, senior transplant co-ordinater for the MORE prograin, Toronto region, there are approximately 130 heart transplants performed annually in Canada. Depending on urgency, blood typing and the size of the organ needed, a patient may wait anyWhere from two weeks te one year. An uncomphicated heart transplant costs the Ministry of Health about $ 100,000 te $ 150,000. When compared to other types of complex and repeated heart surgery, transplants are not as costly as one might think -- and although they are considered te be radical and extremely high risk, they seem well worth the effort. Many lives can be saved as a resuît of organ transplants. 0f course, suitable healthy donor hearte are a precious commnodity. Transplant waiting lists grow by the day, and while thousands of people wait for a second chance at ife, countless die waiting. The problem in there just aren't enough donor organs to supply the demand. Choosing to become a future orandoor is a proaidcsion that reuires serious consi dera- tion. Wen you deciclo to sign your organ donor card, it in important to make your wishes known to your fiamily, explaining how important the decison is to you. Since doctors always have to consult with the next-of-kin regarding organ donation, ultimatey it becomnes a family decision. Important facto everyone siiouid know a The donor must be dlinically dead before the organ in harvested. Whenever possible, circulation and urine output are maintained to ensure the organils kept in a condition suitable for transplantation. This type of maintenance protocol is standard procedure and should ho observed. e Organ donation will flot interfere with or delay funeral arrangements. a 'There wilI ho no cst to either the donor faînily or the recipient because the donated organ is not for sale. *Ail patients waiting for an organ donation are registered on a waiting list, and when an organ becomes avaflable it is distributed where it is moetly needed. * It is possible for one donor to help iniprove or save the life of several organ/tissue recipients. *n Organ donation is acoepted adwithin the beliefs and boundariee of mont well-known religions. a Organ donation is not disfiguring to the donor and, except for unusual circumstances, there in no need to refute the idea of an open-casket funeral service. 0 As a rule, there is no age limit for donors. A doctor will determine if a donor in suitable. Organe are needed for people of al spa and can b. donated by minlore with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Suceseful organ transplants depend on the awareness and support of the general public, and the co-operation of health professols.Te donor body muet b. quicldy and carefuly prepared to minimize injury to the organ being harvested. TErne is of the essence. %ecause or organ or tissue trnpants, thousands of Canadans live happy and productive lives. By choosing to become a future organ donor, you are offering another human being a second lease on life. Man arrested after foot chase downtown A would-be burglar in the pro- cess of breaking into a downtown business was arrested b y two alert foot-patrol officers F'riday, April 8. The officers were on patrol wvhen they noticed a person act- injg in a suspicieus manner out- side Bronze and Beautiful at 101 Mary St. W. He fled when they approached but was arrested after a short chase. The suspect was searched and found to have housebreaking tools. A check cf the tannin g salon showed soineone had attempted te pry open the front door. A 19-year-old Ash Street man was charged with break and enter with intent. WI Providing Q UALITY Real Estate Service WJak ea statfed luints Whitby LI N 4H6 Proudly Serving Whitby Homeowners x for 20 years CONTRACTING HOMES & C US TOM RENO VA TIONS David J. Hîscox 911 Athol Street Whtby.e LiN 4A3 Phone & Fax 668-3843 * "M any buyers of new homes and home products are now looking for the Logo, of the Oshawa-Durham Home Builders' Association, when they want to buy a new home or deal with an associated professional in the residential construction industry. Our Logo, a stylized house set in a maple leat, is the mark of a professional home builder-a member of the largest and most respected construction industry association in Canada. The ODBHA Logo is a symbol of our commitment to excellence. As a home buyer sees this logo, he has the confidence to expect a professional builder that is up-to-date on the NATITRAL (JAS FIREPIACTS Natural Gas Fireplaces have ail the warmth and smoke, no soot, no ashes, no lingering us show you the styles. MlConsumers Gas 101 Consumers Drive Whitby # 668-9341 latest technologies and products, is w7ell informed about the trends and concerns that are shaping the housing markets of today and tomorrow and, places the highest priority on providing a home of lasting value and quality. "APRIL IS NEW HOMES MONTH". 1 urge you to seek our Logo, secure in the fact that when you buy from an ODBHA Builder, you can look forward to owning your "Dream Home", confident in the knowledge that you are obtaining the highest commitment to quality in the field. This same dedicatiôn applies when dealing with our aff iliated members." Peter Abramczuk President Cet us workinig/oryou! Ethel Roseborough - Manager Thickson & Glenhili, Whitby 430-1800 Fred Wynistorf - Manager Dundas & Brock, Whitby 668-3351 Janet Loan - Manager Rossland & Garden, Whitby 666-3361 Jessie Griffin - Manager Brooklin 655-3361 Lorris Azzano - Account Manager Downtown Real Estate CIBC Toronto 1-800-461-4451 1