New flag honours Alberta’s organ and tissue donors

Give Life Alberta flag will fly during two awareness weeks every year

Story & photo by Su-Ling Goh | Video & photo by Evan Isbister

EDMONTON — Alberta Health Services’ organ and tissue donation program Give Life Alberta has raised a new flag as a tribute to the thousands of people in Alberta, both deceased and living, who have given the gift of life to others.

The Give Life Alberta flag will be raised at the 112th Street entrance of the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) for two weeks every year: National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (April 20-26) and Living Donation Week (Sept. 7-13). The flag’s icon — a green heart filling the void of a dotted heart — symbolizes donation. One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and a tissue donor can save or dramatically improve up to 75 lives.

One donor’s family helped raise the new flag. After 23-year-old Andy Polanski died in a motor vehicle crash in 2013, the Fort Saskatchewan man saved five lives and improved many more with his organ and tissue donations.

“To be able to pay tribute to Andy and all the other amazing donors and their families is an honour for us,” says Dawn Pinder, Andy’s sister. “We understand the rollercoaster of emotions involved in making a loved one’s donation wishes come true, and our hearts go out to all donor families.”

When Andy’s medical team determined there was nothing left they could do to save his life, his family was asked to consider organ and tissue donation. Pinder recalls they knew what Andy would have wanted because he had previously discussed his donation decision.

“Andy lived his life always looking to help and share. It was a relief knowing his true wishes,” says Pinder. “In that moment (of our donation decision), we heard his voice … like a light in the darkness. We were very thankful.”

Andy’s family continues to support fellow donor families through fundraising events, most recently providing comfort gifts — pillows, blankets and books — for those going through the donation process.

While Alberta marked another record year in 2024 — with 317 deceased organ and tissue donors — there are more than 500 people waiting for life-saving transplants in the province. Last year, 33 people on the wait list died.

“The need (for transplants) is there all year long … and the need is only fulfilled by unfortunate events; by the death of loved ones,” says Dr. Dennis Djogovic, medical director for Give Life Alberta Organ Donation North.

“We need to honour those donors, those families, and recognize that in their time of grief, they have the power and strength to think of … donating their gifts to strangers.”

Alberta’s first organ transplant was performed at the UAH in 1967 — a kidney transplant. Since then, the hospital has expanded its transplant program to include all possible organ and tissue donations — including hearts, lungs, livers, pancreas, small bowel, bones and skin — saving thousands of lives.

Reaghan Manyluk received a life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant at the UAH in 2014. For two-and-a-half years before that, she was connected to a peritoneal dialysis machine for 12 hours every night.

“(Dialysis was) difficult because you’re supposed to be keeping up hope … but you know that if this (transplant) gift doesn’t come, you may not make it,” says Manyluk.

Eleven years after her transplant, the elementary school teacher sees the new flag as a symbol of appreciation for her donor hero.

“I’ve been able to enjoy some incredible moments that I never thought I’d live to see, such as my grandmother’s 98th birthday and the births of my niece and nephew,” adds Manyluk.

“Every year when that (transplant) anniversary comes along, and any time I’m struggling with anything or any time I’m experiencing something joyful, I think of that donor family and I think of that (donor) — and I’m just so grateful that gift went to me.”

Albertans are encouraged to register their intent to donate online at GiveLifeAlberta.ca — or at a motor vehicle registry office — and to tell their loved ones about their donation decision.