Stephane Herbert visited the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre as part of his incredible journey biking across Canada from Vancouver to Montreal.

As a proud living donor who donated a kidney to a friend four years ago, Stephane’s mission is to show that amazing things can still be accomplished after donation! He aims to raise awareness about organ donation, reminding us that every signature on a donor card can save lives.

He’s also raising funds for the Maison des Greffés Lina Cyr, an outstanding organization that provides critical housing and support for patients awaiting or recovering from a transplant. Since 1994, they’ve helped over 43,000 patients in Quebec.

Currently, there are not enough registered and available deceased donors to provide organs and tissues for all patients waiting on the transplant list. Living kidney donation presents a beneficial alternative for those needing a kidney transplant, as it allows recipients to avoid the long wait often associated with deceased donor lists. By opting for a pre-emptive living kidney transplant, patients can completely bypass dialysis. Additionally, the average lifespan of a kidney from a living donor is approximately 15-20 years, compared to 12-15 years for a kidney from a deceased donor. This means patients can enjoy a more normal life after their transplant.

To register to be an organ and tissue donor, click here.
To find more information regarding living kidney donation, click here.
Residents in the region who are interested in living kidney donation can also email Stacy Heerema at stacy.heerema@tbh.net for more information.