After receiving a heart transplant, Everad Tilokee now works for Canadian Blood Services, an organization that played a role in saving his life.
At age 13, Everad Tilokee was diagnosed with heart failure. While waiting for a life-saving transplant, he had a heart attack, a mini-stroke and needed a defibrillator to keep his heart beating.
In 2014, he was admitted to the hospital waiting for the call that would save his life. That May, a selfless 46-year-old man who had registered to donate his organs saved Mr. Tilokee’s life and the lives of several others.
At any given moment, approximately 4,500 Canadians are waiting for organ transplants. A single organ donor can save up to eight lives, but each year, hundreds will die waiting for the right match.
“It’s simple – without people like you, I would not be here today. Whether it’s a financial gift, or a donation of blood, plasma, stem cells, organs or tissues – the impact that donors like you can have on people like me is immeasurable,” says Mr. Tilokee.
Financial gifts support Canadian Blood Services in leading national collaborative work strengthening the organ and tissue donation and transplantation system in Canada. From donors to recipients and all the people that bring them together, we can each be the reason – the connection – that keeps Canadians living.
Today, Mr. Tilokee works as a coordinator with Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation.
“For me, it’s about giving back. I chose to work at Canadian Blood Services because it allows me to be a part of an organization that plays a role in the medical community that saved my life.”
Be part of the connection at give.blood.ca.
Produced by Randall Anthony Communications. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved in its creation.