It's easy to sign up for organ donations and it could help save a life.

Last week, it was announced that a Winnipeg mother desperately needed a liver transplant but was not able to find one. 

She isn't the only one waiting. In Manitoba, at least 20 people are waiting for a heart, lung, or liver, while 200 people are waiting for a kidney.

"[Kidney's are] the most common because kidney disease happens a lot in Manitoba and we can bridge with dialysis," said Faisal Siddiqui, a doctor with Transplant Manitoba's Gift of Life program. "People can be on hold for quite a bit of time."

Those with kidney failure can survive on dialysis for a long time, but he points out it isn't the optimal solution. It involves a lot of trips to the hospital and time spent away from your preferred activities.

"[Dialysis] is a good way to keep you alive," Siddiqui said. "It's not the goal."

Unfortunately, Siddiqui said, it's not as easy with the heart, lungs, and liver. Often, if patients don't get those in time, they won't survive.

The good news, Siddiqui said, is that transplant patients don't always have to wait until someone has passed away before getting an organ. The body has redundancy in the system, meaning that a person can donate part of a liver, lung, or a full kidney while still living.

"It's a rigorous process to ensure that people are healthy enough to consider donating a portion of their body," Siddiqui warned but said that it was completely possible.

To be able to donate an organ, you need to keep yourself healthy and talk to your family about your wishes once you pass away. You can also register yourself as a donor at www.signupforlife.ca. Siddiqui says that it's really important to not just sign up, but also talk to your family.

"About 50% decline considering donations if they don't know the wishes of their loved ones."

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