FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2014 CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories celebrates National Organ and

Tissue Donor Awareness Week (April 20-26, 2014) Provincial governments online donor registry a big step forward in addressing demand and wait times for corneal transplants EDMONTON CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories joins other health-related organizations across the country in celebrating National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. The recent announcement by the Government of Alberta to create an online donor registry for organs and tissues is a step forward in addressing the increasing demand and wait times for corneal transplants. Corneal transplants can be a solution for certain vision health conditions such as keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, or scarring after an eye injury or infection. In fact, 85% of cornea transplant patients regain their sight. Our research shows that 75% of vision loss can either be treated or prevented, said John McDonald, executive director and regional vice-president of CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories. With an online registry and increased awareness, its our hope that more Albertans will consider donating their corneas and giving the gift of sight. CNIB was a founding partner of the Eye Bank of Canada in 1955 and has continued to call for a national distribution system for corneas. CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories is a member of the Alberta Donates Life Coalition. For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Jung-Suk Ryu Manager, Communications CNIB Alberta and Northwest Territories cell 780.901.6779 or 403.261.7215 email jung-suk.ryu@cnib.ca About CNIB CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. To learn more, visit cnib.ca or call the toll-free CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642.