Every three days, someone in Ontario dies waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. This situation exists despite the fact that we have the cure, the knowledge and the tools to save them. We simply don’t have enough organ donors.
While most Ontarians suggest they support organ and tissue donation, only 31 per cent have actually registered consent. Research from the Trillium Gift of Life Network suggests that as many as 15 per cent of Ontarians mistakenly believe they are registered when, in fact, they are not. These 1.8 million ‘mistaken’ Ontarians represent potentially missed opportunities for donation because their wishes are not recorded.
Some of these Ontarians may have signed a paper donor card years ago and are not aware that donor cards are obsolete. Ontario’s registry holds consent information in the health card database, so consent information can be shared with a potential donor’s family if necessary.
That’s why this April – Be A Donor Month — Niagara Health and Trillium Gift of Life Network are asking you to check your registration status. If we can reach those 1.8 million Ontarians, who we know are supportive of organ and tissue donation, we could increase the registration rate to 45 per cent. This would put Ontario on par with some of the highest registration rates in the world.
Checking registration status is easy. Look on the back of your photo health card for the word “donor” or check it online at beadonor.ca.
“One single organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance another 75 more through tissue donation,” says Heather Paterson, Niagara Health’s Director of Clinical Services. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Trillium Gift of Life Network and the lives that have been saved because of others’ decision to be a donor.”
“This BeADonor month we are encouraging all Ontarians to check if they are registered at www.BeADonor.ca,” says Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO of Trillium Gift of Life Network. “With over 1,500 people on the waitlist today, we can give them hope by ensuring our wishes are registered.”
ABOUT TRILLIUM GIFT OF LIFE NETWORK
Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation for transplantation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved.
MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION:
Niagara Health
Steven Gallagher, Communications Specialist
905-378-4647, ext. 43879
steven.gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca
Trillium Gift of Life Network
Jennifer Long, Media Relations Coordinator
416-619-2327
jlong@giftoflife.on.ca
Steven Gallagher, Communications Specialist
steven.gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca
W: 905-378-4647 x43879 | C: 289-696-6767
Facebook: www.facebook/niagarahealth
Twitter: @NiagaraHealth
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