LAKELAND – In 2024, 317 people in Alberta donated their organs or tissue after they passed away through the province's Give Life Alberta program, saving hundreds of lives. This is the most the province has ever seen, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Data from the AHS indicates that number led to 423 organs transplanted last year.
"This is the third consecutive year for increasing deceased donation rates in the province, with 273 donors in 2023, and 248 donors in 2022," reads information from AHS.
Among the donors was Faye Irvine of Elk Point who passed away at 75 in August 2024. Irvine donated tissue and her corneas.
Irvine is a founding figure of the 2nd Chance Trail Ride Society, a local non-profit that supports organ donation awareness and transplant recipients. The group says her support for her husband’s double lung transplant helped spark the organization’s mission.
The society holds its annual 2nd Chance Trail Ride in Lindbergh along the Iron Horse Trail, which was last held in May. The event includes a horseback ride, a community meal, prize draws, and also features transplant recipients and donor families sharing their stories.
Funds raised support housing, mentorship, and financial help for transplant patients.
The society also hosts an annual golf tournament fundraiser. The next tournament, Tom’s Tournament of Heroes, will be held on Aug. 16 in Redwater, where a representative from Give Life Alberta will be present as a guest speaker.
Arla Pirtle, secretary of the 2nd Chance Trail Ride Society, and also Irvine's daughter, said seeing the record number for 2024 is “fantastic."
She believes increased awareness, such as through increased coordination among awareness groups, is likely behind the higher numbers.
"We're all working together," she said.
Last year, part of the funding from the society's annual golf tournament went to Alberta Lung.
"They're building a big breathe easy facility for recipients that need to stay longer when they're getting their new lungs," she said.
The society also works with the GoodHearts Foundation, an organization that helps out transplant patients with subsidized housing.
Organ transplant produces measurable results, said Pirtle, citing many society members who are transplant recipients, including her father who is now 14 years post-lung transplant.
"It works," she said.
With transplant recipients sharing their journeys and organizations rallying together, Pirtle believes transplant awareness in Alberta will continue to increase, along with the number of lives saved.
