Chain of life: sowing hope to those waiting for an organ transplant

Among the participants of the 10th Chain of Life challenge in Lac-Beauport, young Julianne, 12 years old, and her parents are traveling the Relais trails to raise awareness about organ donation. Julianne, born with a heart defect, got a new heart when she was three months old.

Today, the young girl is in great shape. Grateful, his parents Ben Lord and Marie-Ève ​​St-Pierre wanted to get involved in Chaîne de vie by sharing their own experience to sow hope among those waiting for an organ transplant.

According to the most recent data from Transplant Québec, 853 people are waiting for a transplant in the province.

Julianne’s mom remembers every feeling she had when she found out her daughter was going to need a transplant. It was a roller coaster of emotionsshe confides.

[C’était un] big black tunnel where there were no exit doorsremembers Marie-Ève ​​St-Pierre.

When they put the heart, we see right away [les changements]the color of his skin improves and [Julianne] is fine. To receive the heart is a relief because we didn’t believe it was possibleremembers Julianne’s father.

The young girl will be 12 years old on October 23. She says she always celebrates two birthdays. February 9th.. is the day of my heartshe said, in an interview on the show First hour.

Recently, his family had a first contact with the baby’s mother which helped save his life.

Every year we write them a letter to tell them that Julianne is doing well.relate Ben Lord. It took 7 years before she gave us a sign of life and we can understand how the donor’s family feels.

Tell your loved ones and repeat your desire to be a donor

Ben Lord reminds us that signing your donor card is not enough. Loved ones always have the last word.

Even if the card was signed, if the family objects, probably because there were no discussions to confirm with the deceased that this was their wish. People are too overwhelmed with emotion and they will refuse.

Like many things in life, we want to think that it only happens to other people, but that’s one of the reasons that makes it difficult to talk about it even though it’s extremely important.

Raise awareness about organ transport

This year, Chaîne de vie also wants to raise awareness about organ transport. Volunteer police officers from the Canadian Association for Organ and Tissue Donors (ACDO) who play a little-known role among the population, represent a vital link in the pre-hospital intervention chainargues the organization.

According to the Chaîne de vie website, more than 60 participants are taking part in the Mont Relais challenge. Investigator Sergeant Pier-Anne Paré and Sergeant Sébastien Proulx, from the Sûreté du Québec, are the standard bearers representing their colleagues during this march.

Other challenges will be taken up in Chaudière-Appalaches, notably at Mont Lauzon on October 19 and at Mont Adstock on October 17.

Based on interviews with Mireille Roberge