Alberta looking to raise awareness on organ, tissue donation through tax form

Starting next year, Albertans will be able to receive more information regarding organ and tissue donation while doing their taxes.

The province announced Monday that Alberta’s T1 tax form will include a check box asking to receive more information about organ and tissue donation.

After that box is checked, the province will email those individuals with details about how donations works in Alberta and how to register their wishes.

“This simple step can help save lives. The more Albertans who register, the more patients and families can hold on to hope for a second chance. We hope this change encourages more Albertans to start the conversation and register their wishes,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health.

The province is making the move to increase awareness of organ donation, as hundreds of Albertans are waiting on life-saving organ or tissue transplants.

British Columbia and Ontario have already added the check box, and Ontario has reportedly seen a 32 per cent increase in registrations since it was added.

Anyone looking for more information regarding organ and tissue donation before it is added to the T1 tax form, can visit the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry website.