Vital Bonds
Canada's organ donation rate is the lowest in the industrialized world – and every organ lost is also a life. For the first time ever on-screens, Vital Bonds gives viewers unprecedented access to the powerful real-life human stories of organ donation in Canada. Following a traumatic brain injury, the family of 28-year old athlete Matthew makes the decision to donate his organs. A two-week old baby girl named Harlow receives a donor heart from the far side of the continent. These are just some of the life and death stories covered with unflinching authenticity to show the lasting impact and …
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Canada's organ donation rate is the lowest in the industrialized world – and every organ lost is also a life. For the first time ever on-screens, Vital Bonds gives viewers unprecedented access to the powerful real-life human stories of organ donation in Canada. Following a traumatic brain injury, the family of 28-year old athlete Matthew makes the decision to donate his organs. A two-week old baby girl named Harlow receives a donor heart from the far side of the continent. These are just some of the life and death stories covered with unflinching authenticity to show the lasting impact and major importance of organ donation in Canada.
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directorNiobe Thompson
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executive producerRosie DransfeldDavid Christensen
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producerRosie DransfeldBonnie Thompson
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writerNiobe Thompson
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narratorNiobe Thompson
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director of photographyaAron MunsonSergio Olivares
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editorBrenda Terning
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musicJohn McMillan
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assistant editorEsther Viragh
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additional camera workDaron DonahueTamarra CanuBlake McWilliams
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production managerSandra Tober
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production coordinatorEsther ViraghTamarra Canu
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production assistantTamarra CanuDylan Rhys HowardMyles Belland
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location sound recordingPhilip DransfeldCarey Opper
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audio post-productionJohn Blerot
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sound editorPerry BlackmanIain PattisonChris SzottJordan Ivey
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colouristJoe Owens
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on-lineJoe Owens
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masteringJoe Owens
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closed captioningJoe Owens
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described videoJohn Blerot
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production accountantRichard Warburton
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production bookkeeperHui Min
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production solicitorNorman Bishop
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visual researchGina Cali
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production stillsTamarra Canu
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musicianJohn McMillanNeda YamachDianne NewAlison StewartJim CockellAnna KozakJeanette ComeauRafael HoekmanRhonda HenshawMeran Currie-RobertsJohn Taylor
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music engineerPaul Johnson
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music mixerPaul Johnson
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orchestrationAndrew Reid
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music internJosh Rapanos
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music consultantDarren Fung
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general manager, programmingSally Catto
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senior director, documentarySandra Kleinfeld
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production, unscripted contentAlexandra Lane
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executive director, unscripted contentJennifer Dettman
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executive in charge of productionSue Dando
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director of finance, unscripted contentJulie Lawlor
Warning: Depictions of death and dying, surgery, organs/blood
Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context:
This documentary explores organ donation by interviewing the families, individuals and medical professionals involved in the process, and looks at the future of organ transplants and the role of science and technology.
- What is the history of organ transplantation in humans? How has the technology advanced? Describe some of the advances explored in this documentary, which was released in 2016, and any advancements made since then.
- What are the ethical questions involved in connecting the family of the organ donor with the recipient? Should this process be encouraged or discouraged? Why?
- Why do you think there is a shortage of organ donors? What should be done to encourage people to donate their organs to save the lives of others?