According to BC Transplant, 502 lives were saved in 2018 by organ donation, and this February marks the one-year anniversary of a life-saving kidney donation that came from Langley.
Last year, WilloughbyB次元官网网址檚 Reema Garcha underwent a live kidney transplant to donate the organ to her older sister Binn Johal who lives in North Delta.
Ten years ago, when she was 36, Johal was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Vasculitus. Over time, the condition worsened and eventually Johal developed kidney disease.
And then in 2017, JohalB次元官网网址檚 doctor suggested she begin searching for a kidney donor.
B次元官网网址淚 always knew I was going to need a kidney, I just didnB次元官网网址檛 know when. And she [Garcha] always used to say to me B次元官网网址榙onB次元官网网址檛 worry sis, my kidneyB次元官网网址檚 your kidney,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� explained Johal.
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After JohalB次元官网网址檚 family underwent a thorough testing process, it was revealed that Garcha was the only match.
B次元官网网址淚 was so excited. It was like living a life with purpose B次元官网网址� to be able to know you can save your sisterB次元官网网址檚 life. I didnB次元官网网址檛 feel scared at all to be honest, and IB次元官网网址檝e got two young children as well. It was all about doing the right thing and being so thankful that I was a match,B次元官网网址� said Garcha.
The two women went for surgery on Feb. 26, 2018, at St. PaulB次元官网网址檚 hospital in Vancouver, and both agreed it was an B次元官网网址渁mazingB次元官网网址� experience with attentive staff.
They are both in good health now, and Johal added, B次元官网网址淚 feel so much better, [have] way more energy, and I can eat food I couldnB次元官网网址檛 eat before.B次元官网网址�
Garcha said she feels no different with one less kidney, and is B次元官网网址渇unctioning perfectly.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 never know the difference,B次元官网网址� she added.
Before moving to the Lower Mainland in their late teens, Garcha and Johal grew up in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island.
Garcha, who is five years younger than Johal, said the age gap meant they B次元官网网址渨ernB次元官网网址檛 super close growing up,B次元官网网址� but over time and into adulthood, the sisters developed B次元官网网址渁 very powerful bond.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淣ow knowing I was able to do this for her, and thereB次元官网网址檚 been no indication of rejection, itB次元官网网址檚 a great feeling. If I had another kidney to donate, even to a random stranger, I would,B次元官网网址� added Garcha.
According to Garcha, JohalB次元官网网址檚 kidney is the second transplant in their family, as years ago, a cousin received a heart transplant.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very appreciative of the whole donation side of thingsB次元官网网址� Garcha said.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to be buried with any organ in my life. The purpose once IB次元官网网址檓 passed is to give life to others.B次元官网网址�
Johal said her and Garcha are going to volunteer with The Kidney Foundation to B次元官网网址渞aise awareness and give back to the community.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 fortunate enough to get a kidney. A lot of people are not. To be on dialysis is not a good thing, some people donB次元官网网址檛 make it waiting and the quality of life is just deteriorating as youB次元官网网址檙e waiting,B次元官网网址� explained Johal.
The 502 lives saved by organ donation in B.C. this year set a new record for total number of transplants in a calendar year.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud to celebrate the selfless act of donation from so many British Columbians,B次元官网网址� said Health Minister Adrian Dix. B次元官网网址淭his record number of transplants is a testament to the spirit of our residents, who gave the greatest gift of all last yearB次元官网网址攖he chance at a new life for others.B次元官网网址�
In addition to an overall organ record, a kidney transplant milestone was also reached in 2018 with 339 transplants, including 100 living donors like Garcha.
For more information on organ donation in B.C., visit .
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