Sharing is Caring: Facebook® Launches Tool in Canada To Add Organ Donor Status to Your Timeline
Now, you can add that you’re an organ donor to your timeline, and share your story about when, where or why you decided to become a donor. Manitobans not already registered on SignUpForLife.ca but want to be will find a link to the official donor registry there as well. Facebook’s privacy options mean that users can limit who can see their organ donor status information.
“Since launching SignUpForLife.ca in April we’ve seen that much of the site’s success can be attributed to people spreading the word on Facebook that they have signed up. Not only does this encourage others to register, but it also helps Manitobans share with their loved ones their organ donation wishes. The addition of this tool can only enhance this success,” said Transplant Manitoba – Gift of Life medical director, Dr. Brendan McCarthy.
The site has recorded over 6,600 registrations since its launch. Through media campaigns and public education efforts Manitobans have been encouraged to upgrade from their paper cards by going digital with the online registry.
“Manitoba’s online donor registry has already become an indispensable tool to raise awareness and boost registration in our province,” said Manitoba Minister of Health, Theresa Oswald. “I encourage everyone to register their intent to donate at SignUpForLife.ca and make their wishes known through this new Facebook tool as there are many Manitobans who continue to wait for a life-saving or a life-enhancing donation. Talk to your friends and family and sign up for life today.”
The Facebook tool first went live in the U.S. and U.K. in May. Since the initial launch, more than 250,000 people have registered to become organ donors.
"Facebook is about connecting and sharing. We believe that by simply telling people that you're an organ donor, the power of sharing and connection can play an important role in solving the organ crisis in Canada,” said Jordan Banks, Managing Director, Facebook Canada.
In order to protect your privacy and that of your loved ones, registered donors may want to consider implementing some of Facebook’s privacy options that limit who can see their organ donor status information. Organ donor programs in Canada do not publicly comment on a patient’s donation status.
For more information about how to update your organ donor status on Facebook, view this blog post from Facebook Founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg and Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg.