Some facts about kidney disease:

- more than 2 million Canadians suffer from kidney failure or some sort of kidney-related disease.
- Kidney failure is a life-threatening disease. When your kidneys fail, toxic wastes and fluids accumulate in your body. You need dialysis treatment to artificially clean your blood, or a kidney transplant.
- More than 2800 Canadians are on a waiting list for a kidney transplant. Some of them will die waiting because there is a critical shortage of organs available for transplantation.
- Organ donation from one single donor can help up to a dozen people, including two kidney patients.

Steps to becoming a live donor - live donors must come forward on their own accord. If one decides they want to be a potential live donor, they must contact Living Donor Services(Northern Alberta Renal Program) at (780)-407-8698. When a potential donor calls, they will direct them through the process.

Steps to becoming a cadaveric donor - if you decide you want to donate your organs and tissues upon your death, it is important to register your decision on your healthcare card, driver's license, or your provincial donor registry, and that you ask your family to support your decision.

You can get more info about kidney disease and organ donation at: www.kidney.ab.ca

Thank you, we are very touched that the ADRA would be interested in getting some "awareness" out there.

The Marten's Family