The Ultimate Legacy: Debunking Myths & Navigating The “Leave Well” Conversation

The last week of April 2026 marks National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Week, a crucial time to reflect on a decision that can save up to eight lives. Through the national Leave Well campaign, Canadian Blood Services is working to bridge the gap between those who support donation and those who have actually registered and shared that choice with their families.

However, the conversation has become more complex lately; over the last 18 months, public trust has been challenged by negative media and misinformation originating from the U.S.. To clear the air and provide a roadmap for these vital end-of-life discussions, we sat down with Roberta Koscielny, Associate Director at Canadian Blood Services. From addressing common myths to providing practical tips on how to talk to your loved ones, Roberta explains why becoming a donor is one of the most powerful ways to “leave well”. —Noa Nichol

The Reality of the Waitlist: As we approach National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Week in April 2026, what is the current “critical need” in Canada? How many Canadians are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, and how does registering actually move the needle?

More than 4,000 Canadians are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and on average, 250 Canadians die each year on the waitlist. Organ donation is a rare gift – only 1-2% of people who die can be considered as potential donors. That’s because people have to die in a certain way for donation to even be an option. Encouraging more Canadians to talk with loved ones about donation after death and registering those decisions, means more chances to save and improve lives. 

Combatting the Misinformation Wave: Over the last 18 months, public trust has been challenged by negative media and propaganda originating in the U.S.. How does the Canadian system specifically ensure that organs are never taken without consent or before a patient is truly deceased?

The priority of all healthcare professionals is always to save lives. Organ donation is never considered until all lifesaving efforts have been exhausted and recovery is just not possible.

In Canada, care for a dying patient is never compromised by a desire to protect organs for donation or to expedite death to achieve a timely organ recovery. Canada is a world leader in developing medico-legal and ethical guidelines for the determination of death. Organ donation only takes place in Canada after physicians confirm a person has passed away, and consent has been obtained.

The “Standalone” Consent Myth: Many people believe that simply signing the back of their donor card or registering online is the final step. Why is it so crucial for registered donors to “Leave Well” by having an explicit conversation with their loved ones about their end-of-life wishes?

Donation happens at a time of tragedy. It’s an incredibly emotional time. Preparing your loved ones on how best to honour your donation decision is a gift for them, and a gift for someone you will never meet. If your loved ones have had a conversation with you, it makes saying yes to the offer of deceased organ donation that much simpler.

Donation cannot take place without consent. Talking about donation and registering your decision clearly indicates your intent to be a donor, which makes things easier for those closest to you during an extremely difficult time.

Waste vs. Wonder: One of the most damaging claims circulating is that donated organs are being “thrown away”. Can you walk us through the rigorous logistics and matching process in Canada that ensures every viable donation finds its way to a patient in need?

Provincial teams follow a process designed to place life-saving organs to those most in need based on several factors including blood type, tissue type, medical urgency and time on the waitlist. No organ is recovered if it cannot be matched to a patient on the waitlist.

The Gift of Tissue: While many focus on major organs like the heart or lungs, tissue donation is equally transformative. How does a single tissue donor impact the lives of others, and what are some of the most common “invisible” ways tissue donation helps Canadians recover from injury or illness?

Donated tissue promotes health and healing in so many ways for people who have experienced a trauma that has injured or damaged their body. A single donor can donate seven types of tissue to help improve the quality of life of up to 75 people – an astounding legacy to leave.

For example, donated corneas can give the gift of sight; donated tendons help people recover and regain mobility after things like sports injuries; heart valves are vital to help repair heart defects and valves damaged by infection and disease; donated veins can help improve the lives of those suffering with severe circulatory problems; donated skin grafts protect burn victims from infection and support the overall healing and recovery process; and bones can help those suffering with various orthopedic conditions.

Starting the Conversation: For those who find the topic of end-of-life wishes daunting, what are five practical ways to bring up the subject of organ donation with family members without it feeling morbid or overwhelming?

Talking about dying while you are still living can be difficult. By taking the time to share your intent to be an organ and tissue donor, you are providing vital information for your loved ones who will be asked important questions at end-of-life.

1. Speak from the heart about why organ donation matters to you and why their support of your decision is important.
2. Prepare a few thoughts in advance and choose a time to introduce the topic within a casual, relaxed setting. It really can be as simple as a chat around the dinner table, a coffee date or while watching the game.Send a note to the family group chat: “I registered as an organ donor today! Are any of you organ donors? Let’s chat about it next week over family dinner. I’d love to know your thoughts.”If family are engaging in wills and legacy planning, include organ and tissue donation in the discussions.
3. Invite friends and family to join you in registering! Go to www.donateyourorgans.ca, select your province and get started.

The Ultimate Legacy: Beyond the statistics, what are five reasons why a healthy Canadian should consider becoming a donor in 2026, and how does the “Leave Well” campaign help redefine what it means to have a lasting impact on your community? 

1. More than 4,000 Canadians are waiting for a life-saving transplant, and even more need tissue.
2. More than 250 people die each year waiting for a transplant.
3. You are six times more likely to need a transplant than to ever become a deceased donor.
4. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and through the gift of seven different types of tissue, benefit the lives of another 75 people.
5. You could save a life.

Deciding to be a donor is a choice. It is a decision that can fulfill personal goals such as living well and leaving a legacy, choosing to do the right thing at the end of life or even feeling a sense of pride in making the decision to register to be a donor. 

It is also a decision that offers hope to people living with a failing organ and those who love them. Your registration demonstrates you have a plan to leave well – a compassionate action that can help others keep on living until the end of theirs.

Unlike other organ donation campaigns, which rely heavily on donor recipients and their families, the Leave Well campaign features images of the regular, do-gooding humans who are registered organ and tissue donors. The heroes of this campaign are the Canadians (like you) who chose to register to become an organ and tissue donor.