QUÉBEC CITY, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Oct. 13, 2016) - In conjunction with the World Day for Organ and Tissue Donation, the CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE will take place across Québec on October 15 and 16. This unique event will bring together all those connected with organ and tissue donation. Lead teams, composed of doctors, transplant recipients, donor families, teachers, students, climbers and public figures will plant the CHAIN OF LIFE flag atop 12 mountains to support the educational project CHAIN OF LIFE and to remind Quebeckers of the importance of making their decision about organ donation known to their loved ones. The general public is invited to join the lead teams by climbing along with them or by making a donation on: www.defichainedevie.com.
A PATRON CLOSELY AFFECTED BY ORGAN DONATION
It is a great honour for CHAIN OF LIFE to welcome Isabelle Maréchal as the patron of the 2016 CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE. A well-known radio host on Cogeco and a columnist for the Journal de Montréal and the Journal de Québec, Maréchal is extremely aware of the importance of organ donation because her spouse, Thierry Houillon, has had a liver transplant. "I've always supported this cause without ever imagining that one day my family would be so closely affected by organ donation" acknowledges Isabelle Maréchal. "It's when Thierry learned that only a liver transplant could save his life that I really realised what a difference organ donation could make in a life."
THE ISSUE
In Québec, there are currently almost 1000 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant that could save their life. Unfortunately, it is estimated that close to 40% of potential organ donor families still hesitate to consent to organ donation, often because they did not have time to discuss the issue with the loved one. Out of respect for the family, the medical team always respects their decision.
THE CHAIN OF LIFE PROJECT
Created to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation among young people 15-16 years old during their English classes, the CHAIN OF LIFE project aims to have our youth become ambassadors of family discussion regarding organ donation. "This is, without a doubt, how the myths about organ and tissue donation shall dissipate on their own and how our young people shall become better prepared to make an informed choice about this subject when the time is right for them," explains Lucie Dumont, founder and co-ordinator of CHAIN OF LIFE. "It also allows them to realise the importance of a healthy body and encourages them to celebrate life. It is a project with tremendous social impact that unites the education and health sectors to ultimately save lives."
At the present time, CHAIN OF LIFE is being taught in a quarter of public schools in Quebec. The funds generated by the CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE will go to expanding the program to all Quebec secondary schools.
MOUNTAINS AND THE CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE
"Waiting for a transplant is a bit like climbing a mountain; both are true challenges!" adds Dumont. "The mountain is an important symbolism in the education unit CHAIN OF LIFE; thus, it seems only natural to link the CHALLENGE to mountains."
The general public is invited to participate in the CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE that will take place on the following mountains:
| Montréal: | Mont Royal | |
| Abitibi-Témiscamingue: | Collines Kékéko | |
| Bas-Saint-Laurent: | Sebka Saint-André | |
| Centre-du-Québec: | Mont Gleason | |
| Estrie: | Mont Orford | |
| Gaspésie: | Mont Castor | |
| Laurentides: | Mont Saint-Sauveur | |
| Mauricie: | Mont Otis | |
| Montérégie: | Mont Saint-Bruno | |
| Outaouais: | Mont Cascades | |
| Québec: | Mont Sainte-Anne | |
| Saguenay: | Monts-Valin |
This event is a great way to send a message of hope to all those waiting for a transplant and to celebrate a healthy body and the greatest gift of all - life! For details about each mountain, please visit: www.defichainedevie.com.
PARTNERS
To help ensure its success, the 2016 edition of the CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE has received the generous support of several partners, among them: 98,5 FM, 104,7 FM, AH!COM, Alerte Fissure, Centre d'affaires l'Exécutif, GLMC, Info Dimanche, Orage Communication, Pieux Dumontréal.
TO FOLLOW THE CHAIN OF LIFE CHALLENGE AND THE CHAIN OF LIFE PROJECT:
Website : https://defi.chainedevie.org
Facebook : www.facebook.com/ProjetChainedeVie
Twitter : www.twitter.com/ChainedeVie
Youtube : www.youtube.com/channel/UCIyYp2WXNhqyOuDlEQZh4iw
#ChaineDeVie
Contact Information:
Sophie Allard, ARP
514 499-3030, ext. 771
sophieallard@chainedevie.org