MUHC and Héma-Québec form key partnership to save lives

Every day, thanks to a key partnership between the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and Héma-Québec, grieving families find meaning in their pain by helping save or improve the lives of others. Since summer 2024, a close collaboration has been forged between Dominique Simard, Héma-Québec's coordinator of human tissue development and procurement, and clinical nurses in organ and tissue donation at the MUHC, Wendy Sherry and Andrew Chan. Together, they form a team devoted to accompanying families, respecting the wishes of the deceased and overseeing each step of the donation process, with humanity and rigour.

“Our work is truly a team effort. We assess the eligibility of deceased persons for organ and tissue donation, in collaboration with the families of the deceased, to ensure that the consent, decision and wishes of the deceased are respected. Then, if everything is in order, I collect the eye tissues on site at the MUHC. Other type of tissues are harvested at Héma-Québec,” Dominique explains.

One donation to change the lives of twenty people 

Human tissue donation involves removing tissues from the body of a deceased person, such as corneas, bones, skin and heart valves, for later transplant in a person in need. If all tissues are harvested, a single donation has the potential to help as many as 20 people. 

 “Depending on the type of tissue, the age of the deceased is a factor to consider. For example, we can only collect eye tissue from a person between the ages of 2 and 85. For bone tissue, the age range is 15 to 75. There are also a number of medical criteria to be met, to ensure that the quality of the tissue harvested is optimal. That's why the cooperation of a deceased person's family is essential, as they need to fill in a medico-social questionnaire,” says Dominique.

A difficult but necessary discussion 

There are three ways to consent to organ and tissue donation: by registering with the RAMQ; by registering with the Chambre des notaires du Québec; or by signing the sticker on the back of your health insurance card. 

Dominique realizes that death is a taboo subject. Even if consent is given by the individual, it's the family who must give their approval based on their loved one's wishes, which is why it is important to have a discussion beforehand, to ensure that the loved one's wishes are respected when they die. This conversation between family members or friends can be difficult, but it can change the course of many lives. 

 “We encourage everyone to talk to their loved ones about their wishes regarding organ and tissue donation. Wendy, Andrew and I are also here to support the families of the deceased throughout the process. National Organ and Tissue Donation Week also goes a long way to raising awareness and informing the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation in saving lives,” explains Dominique.

To find out more about National Organ and Tissue Donation Week: https://www.transplantquebec.ca/sndot

To find out more about Héma-Québec: https://www.hemaquebec.ca/en