Multi-Organ Transplant Program

Transplant Story

Written by Nancy and Dale, Ryan's parents

On May 1, 1997, our healthy 10-year-old son, Ryan, died suddenly of a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Little did we know that this day would mark the beginning of a long and difficult journey of grief that would shape our future and change our lives forever.

Ryan was a Grade 4 student with a real zest for life – a bright boy with an inquisitive nature. Only a few weeks before he died, Ryan had seen his father signing his organ donor card and asked what he was doing. His dad explained to him about organ donation and transplantation. Ryan was so impressed that an individual could help others to live by donating their organs upon their death that he immediately began to campaign for organ donation by asking other members of the family to sign an organ donor card.

When Ryan was declared "brain dead" at the hospital, we were asked if we would consider organ donation. With no hesitation, my husband and I answered "yes" as Ryan had clearly demonstrated his wishes, making that decision easy for us.

Ryan's organs helped to save and improve the lives of more than seven other people. Two people received the gift of sight, and a young girl received a kidney. A 33-year-old woman who received his kidney and pancreas is free from insulin needles and dialysis. A 19-year-old boy breathes easily through his new lungs, and a 45-year-old woman has a new liver and can now spend time with her young children. Ryan was also able to donate his heart valves to help other hearts beat strong and healthy.

It has been a difficult journey of grief for our family, however, we have received great comfort from knowing what a difference Ryan's gifts have made to the lives of these individuals. Organ and tissue donation has given our family the only positive we could take from a very negative situation.

Like many people, we knew very little about organ donation and transplantation until it affected our family directly. We were very disappointed to find out that Canada has one of the lowest donation rates in the western world.

Education is the key to a successful donation and transplantation program in Canada, and if our 10-year-old Ryan could understand the concept and the benefits of organ donation and transplantation, then we felt other children of similar age (10-13) could also.

We began making inquiries at schools and found virtually nothing was being taught about organ donation and transplantation in the classroom. It seemed to us that this would be the natural place to start the education process. We found an appropriate area in the science curriculum between Grades 5-8, as part of the Life Systems Unit. With the help of a volunteer team of teachers, the support of the York Region District School Board and a company called Classroom Connections, we developed and successfully tested the "Gift of Life Education Program on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation."

Classroom Connections completed distribution of this education program to more than 7,600 elementary schools across Canada by the end of June, 2001. Thousands of teachers and students now have the opportunity to use this exciting program, which includes a story booklet, teacher guide, education material, web site component, video and French translations. It has been provided free to the schools, thanks to the generous support and sponsorship by many different companies.

Our family now volunteers for the Trillium Gift of Life Network and the Canadian Transplant Association in an effort to raise awareness about donation. In our local area, we have also started an awareness program called "Ryan's Hope – Organ Donor Awareness."

Ryan never got the chance to become a firefighter, doctor, nurse or paramedic– someone who heroically helps save lives every day. However, Ryan did help people and he did save lives. Ryan was a special kind of hero ... an organ and tissue donor.