Saint Michael High School teacher a passionate advocate for organ and tissue donation

Kidney transplant recipient from Niagara encourages people to register as donors

Apr 04, 2019 by Alison Langley - The Niagara Falls Review

Krista Connor didn't plan on becoming an advocate for organ and tissue donation.

A number of years ago, the Niagara teacher began discussing the importance of donation with her students at Saint Michael High School.

At the time, her father, who had polycystic kidney disease, had undergone two kidney transplants.

She decided to share her story with students to show them how the transplants had given her father precious extra time with family and friends, time that wouldn't have been possible if not for the "two life-saving gifts he was given."

The Ridgeway mother of two later discovered she had inherited the same genetic condition from her father.

Connor received dialysis treatment at Niagara Health's dialysis units in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines for about a year and then did dialysis at home.

"It is such a big part of your life," she said of the treatment. "It's such a daunting task."

As she went into renal failure, her name was put on a transplant waiting list.

Her husband and mother underwent tests to determine if they could donate a kidney but were told they're weren't compatible.

Her best friend was in the middle of the testing process when Connor received the call she had been desperately waiting for. A kidney was available.

Three-and-a-half years later, Connor is a passionate advocate for organ and tissue donation.

"If not for that wonderful gift, I would not be able to do what I love, being here and teaching these kids," she said. "This is my passion."

Each April, in recognition of Be A Donor Month, the kidney transplant recipient makes presentations to students to highlight the importance of registering to become a donor.

Today, more than 1,600 Ontarians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and every three days someone will die waiting.

Niagara Health and Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario's organ and tissue donation and transplant agency, are encouraging residents to register as a donor.

"We're grateful for our partnership with Trillium Gift of Life Network and the lives that have been saved because of others' decision to be a donor," said Heather Paterson, Niagara Health director of clinical services.

"Registering your consent for organ and tissue donation will give hope to those waiting."

More than 85 per cent of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation. However, only one in three have registered their consent to donate.

To register or learn more about organ and tissue donation, visit www.BeADonor.ca.

Connor also encourages potential donors to talk to their families about their wishes.

"I can't stress this enough," she said. "In Ontario, we sign a consent for organ and tissue donation, but the other part of the equation is to tell your family."

According to Niagara Health, one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.

Organs that can be donated include heart, lungs, liver, small bowel and pancreas. Tissues that can be donated are corneas, heart valves, skin and bones.

Age alone does not disqualify someone from becoming a donor. The oldest organ donor was more than 90 years old and the oldest tissue donor was more than 100. Each potential donor is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.