Brittany Smith of Port Colborne says her kidney transplant "gave me my life back"
A local transplant recipient is speaking out on the importance of organ donation.
Brittany Smith of Port Colborne received a kidney from her brother-in-law Craig last year.
She says organ donation can change a recipient's life.
"Craig saw how sick I was and wanted to help in any way he could," she says. "I was someone who played sports, was active at the gym and just bought a house. His donation gave me the opportunity to return to those things and to continue checking off the things that are still on my bucket list. It gave me my life back."
According to Niagara Health, 15 organ donors in Niagara saved 35 lives over the last year.
The organization also notes that while 90 percent of Ontarians say they're in favour of organ donation, only 35 percent actually register.
Currently, about 1,400 Ontarians are on waiting lists for organ transplants.
The Trillium Gift of Life Network says every three days, someone in Ontario dies because they didn't get their transplant in time.
Anyone 16 and older is encouraged to share their wishes with their family, and register to become a donor.
April marks Be a Donor Month, and on Friday, Niagara Falls will light up in green in support for the cause.
Schmon Tower at Brock University and the City of Welland's Bridge 13 will also also light up on Friday.
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