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, Willoughby香蕉视频直播檚 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, Johal香蕉视频直播檚 doctor suggested she begin searching for a kidney donor.
香蕉视频直播淚 always knew I was going to need a kidney, I just didn香蕉视频直播檛 know when. And she [Garcha] always used to say to me 香蕉视频直播榙on香蕉视频直播檛 worry sis, my kidney香蕉视频直播檚 your kidney,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈 explained Johal.
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After Johal香蕉视频直播檚 family underwent a thorough testing process, it was revealed that Garcha was the only match.
香蕉视频直播淚 was so excited. It was like living a life with purpose 香蕉视频直播� to be able to know you can save your sister香蕉视频直播檚 life. I didn香蕉视频直播檛 feel scared at all to be honest, and I香蕉视频直播檝e got two young children as well. It was all about doing the right thing and being so thankful that I was a match,香蕉视频直播� said Garcha.
The two women went for surgery on Feb. 26, 2018, at St. Paul香蕉视频直播檚 hospital in Vancouver, and both agreed it was an 香蕉视频直播渁mazing香蕉视频直播� experience with attentive staff.
They are both in good health now, and Johal added, 香蕉视频直播淚 feel so much better, [have] way more energy, and I can eat food I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 eat before.香蕉视频直播�
Garcha said she feels no different with one less kidney, and is 香蕉视频直播渇unctioning perfectly.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檇 never know the difference,香蕉视频直播� 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 香蕉视频直播渨ern香蕉视频直播檛 super close growing up,香蕉视频直播� but over time and into adulthood, the sisters developed 香蕉视频直播渁 very powerful bond.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淣ow knowing I was able to do this for her, and there香蕉视频直播檚 been no indication of rejection, it香蕉视频直播檚 a great feeling. If I had another kidney to donate, even to a random stranger, I would,香蕉视频直播� added Garcha.
According to Garcha, Johal香蕉视频直播檚 kidney is the second transplant in their family, as years ago, a cousin received a heart transplant.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e very appreciative of the whole donation side of things香蕉视频直播� Garcha said.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 want to be buried with any organ in my life. The purpose once I香蕉视频直播檓 passed is to give life to others.香蕉视频直播�
Johal said her and Garcha are going to volunteer with The Kidney Foundation to 香蕉视频直播渞aise awareness and give back to the community.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 fortunate enough to get a kidney. A lot of people are not. To be on dialysis is not a good thing, some people don香蕉视频直播檛 make it waiting and the quality of life is just deteriorating as you香蕉视频直播檙e waiting,香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 proud to celebrate the selfless act of donation from so many British Columbians,香蕉视频直播� said Health Minister Adrian Dix. 香蕉视频直播淭his record number of transplants is a testament to the spirit of our residents, who gave the greatest gift of all last year香蕉视频直播攖he chance at a new life for others.香蕉视频直播�
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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