WINGHAM, ONT. Bonnie O’Reilly and Graham Nesbitt will be friends forever, after the Huron County hockey mom donated her kidney to the arena manager who helped launch her son s NHL career. “No words can really express the thanks,” says an emotional Nesbitt during a Zoom call with Bonnie, who responds with, “Well, I feel it, so that’s good.” In 2011, Nesbitt, who s from Seaforth, Ont. was diagnosed with a kidney disorder called Berger’s Disease. By 2019, it became apparent the man who used to operate Seaforth’s arena needed a kidney transplant. “We had a number of people step up,” says Nesbitt. “People started testing and for one reason or another, they couldn’t donate, and then my lucky star showed up in Bonnie O’Reilly.”
Organ and Tissue Donation Law Now in Effect
January 18, 2021 - 9:38 AM
At any given time in Nova Scotia, there are more than 100 people waiting for a lifesaving or life-changing transplant. That is why Nova Scotia passed the Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act, which takes effect today, Jan. 18.
A key part of the legislation is deemed consent for organ and tissue donation. This means people who do not record a decision regarding donation on their health card and are eligible to donate, will be considered as having agreed to be a donor after death.
“Our province is the first place in North America to have legislation that maximizes organ and tissue donations to save more lives, while fully respecting people’s ability to participate or not,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “I am proud of the support I have seen and heard from Nova Scotians, our partners and our health-care community. I want to thank the many donor families and recipients who courageously share their emotional