Online organ and tissue donation site launched in Alberta

Alberta is launching a new online organ and tissue donation registry in a bid to increase the number of donors.

Rates have dropped by nearly 40 per cent over the past ten years and health officials want to increase them as much as possible.

The level is unacceptably low and has been for a few years now, Health Minister Fred Horne said.

The province plans to give registry agents access to the site this spring so people can register when they renew or apply for a drivers license.

In 2012, 505 Albertans were on a transplant waiting list. More than half (309) were waiting for a new kidney

The province is working on establishing a single agency to oversee all tissue and organ donations in Alberta.