Today, more than 1,600 Ontarians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die waiting.

April is BeADonor Month. Niagara Health and Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplant agency, are encouraging residents to register as an organ and tissue donor.

“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,” says Heather Paterson, Niagara Health’s Director of Clinical Services. “Registering your consent for organ and tissue donation will give hope to those waiting.”

Some facts to consider:

• One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.
• Age alone does not disqualify someone from becoming a donor. The oldest organ donor was over 90 and the oldest tissue donor was over 100. There’s always potential to be a donor; it shouldn’t stop you from registering.
• Your current or past medical history does not prevent you from registering to be a donor. Individuals with serious illnesses can, sometimes, be organ and/or tissue donors. Each potential donor is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

More than 85% of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation. However, only one in three Ontarians have registered their consent to donate. It only takes two minutes to register.

Register or learn more about organ and tissue donation at www.BeADonor.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION
Steven Gallagher, Communications Specialist
905-378-4647, ext. 43879 I 289-696-6767
steven.gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca