Give Life Alberta
Families are faced with the decision to donate during an overwhelming time. Give Life Alberta offers support with no pressure or judgment.
The process of organ and tissue donation can be difficult for donor families, who are often experiencing the worst day of their life with the death of their loved one. Give Life Alberta staff do not take the selfless act of donation for granted.
Remembering hearts
Each donor family receives a pendant with two interlocking hearts. The inner heart is placed with your loved one. The outer heart stays with you — a reminder of your permanent connection, and their life-saving legacy.
Honour walks
At some hospitals, in some cases, families can choose this ritual of respect. Staff line the hallways – honouring a hero - as your loved one is wheeled to the operating room.
Moment of silence
Once in the operating room, a Give Life Alberta staff member speaks a few words about your loved one — who they were. The surgical team takes a moment of silence to honour them, the lives they are about to change, and your family’s courageous decision to donate.
After donation, donor families can contact their Give Life Alberta Donor Coordinator or Tissue Specialist at any time for support or answers to their questions. You can also be connected with other care professionals, as required.
Give Life Alberta sends letters to all donor families with updates on the health status of your loved one’s recipients. No identifying details are included.
Donor families may write anonymous letters to recipients, with the help of Give Life Alberta staff. Recipients may also write back; you can choose to receive these letters or not.
Non-anonymous contact between a donor family and recipient (via email, phone, virtual meeting or in person) may be arranged through Give Life Alberta if both parties agree. Consent forms and other criteria must be met.
Families are invited to a special event to receive a Donor Recognition Medal, honouring your loved one and your courageous decision to make their gifts of life possible. Previous donor families, transplant recipients and staff speak at the event, which can also be an opportunity to connect with other families.
Families who need support during their grieving process following organ and/or tissue donation are encouraged to reach out to the Give Life Alberta team, counselors, or other trusted sources such as Grieving Together.
To us, (organ donation) was a very clear representation of who Zach was. It’s a very meaningful way for him to continue to live on — and make a difference in others’ lives.
Some donor families find comfort in keeping their loved one’s legacy alive by increasing public awareness of organ and tissue donation. Volunteer opportunities with Give Life Alberta include helping at an awareness booth, speaking about their loved one at awareness events, or sharing their story with local media.
If you’re interested, please fill out the volunteer intake form.
There can be many questions when it comes to donating organs and tissues. Our FAQs aim to educate and dispel myths.
Most religions support organ and tissue donation as a life-saving act. If you are unsure, please talk to your spiritual leader or advisor.
There is no cost for organ and tissue donation to the donor or to the donor's family. The provincial healthcare system covers all medical expenses. Organ and tissue donation is considered an act of altruistic generosity. It is illegal to buy someone’s organs or tissues in Canada.
Most previous donor families have shared that organ and/or tissue donation helped ease their grief and provided some comfort. They recognize they were given the opportunity to provide a gift of life to another person in an otherwise tragic situation.
