1Saves8 Crusades For Organ Donation

The entire city felt the loss May 2015 when beloved radio host Rich Griffin passed away suddenly. The loss was not entirely without hope though as Rich, a registered organ donor was able to save 5 lives and impact countless others. “Rich had a big heart, and it now beats on. Yours can too”, this is the message we saw displayed on Kingsway Boulevard with the launch of 1Saves8, founded by wife Nancy Griffin, and has been an inspiration to us all of how simple it can be to have a huge impact. With their Griff’s Anatomy Gala coming up tonight (more on that later) we got in touch to get all the info on 1Saves8 and how you can help!

 Tell us more about 1Saves8

#1Saves8 refers to the fact that one organ donor can save up to eight lives with their organs and impact up to 75 more people through tissue donation. Rich was able to save five lives with his heart, lungs, kidneys (two recipients) and liver, and was able to impact many more by donating his eyes, vessels and pancreas islets (“eyelets”) for future transplants and research. It only takes two minutes to register as a donor in his memory at beadonor.ca/1saves8.ca

How has the public response been, has there been an increase in Sudbury organ donors since starting the organization? 

According to Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO of the Trillium Gift of Life Network, traffic to www.beadonor.ca quadrupled between the day the story of Rich’s death/donation broke (May 25, 2015) and June 3, 2015. The Rich Griffin #1Saves8 Campaign was started on November 23, 2015, exactly six months after he passed away and the week of his November 26th birthday, in order to keep the momentum going as much as possible.

Where do I sign up to be an organ donor? Can I choose which organs I’m willing to donate?  

People can sign up to be an organ donor at BeaDonor.ca and they can do so in Rich’s memory at BeaDonor.ca/1Saves8.ca. Absolutely, you can choose which organs you’re willing to donate…but I would encourage donors to consider donating everything possible. After all, it will only end up as ashes or decomposing in the ground. Why not save a life instead?

What other ways can I assist individuals or families waiting for organ transplants? 

When patients are put on the waiting list for an organ, many times that means having to relocate so they can be near the transplant centre if they are fortunate enough to “get the call”. Time is of the essence in a transplant situation.

This means patients spend thousands of dollars of their own money…around $10,000 on average…while they wait for an organ and during post-transplant care. Some patients just don’t have that kind of money and are forced to turn down life-saving surgery because of it.

People can make a difference by:

1. Making a donation to help Northern Ontario transplant patients in this situation at 1saves8.ca
2. Buying a ticket to the Rich Griffin #1Saves8 Gala: Griff’s Anatomy, Saturday, May 14, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Regent St. Proceeds from this glamourous Grey’s-themed gala will benefit Northern Ontario transplant patients.
3. Placing their best bid in the $10,000 online auction, which will also benefit Northern Ontario transplant patients.

Where can we find more information about 1Saves8?

24/7 at 1Saves8.ca or by calling 705-805-1221, or e-mailing 1Saves8.ca@gmail.com.