INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION TO SUPPORT ORGAN & TISSUE DONATION

Halton and Hamilton Joint Forces Marine Unit teams up with Trillium Gift of Life Network to save lives

July 27, 2006, Hamilton, ON – The Halton and Hamilton Joint Forces Marine Unit (JFMU) celebrated the 2 month anniversary of an innovative new relationship with Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) yesterday by demonstrating how they help health care recovery teams transport organs, tissue and specimens across Lake Ontario in an effort to expedite lifesaving transplants in the province.

“All of us at JFMU know how important transplantation is,” said Constable Andy Olesen. “And we also know that time is definitely a factor in the retrieval and delivery of organs and tissue that save lives. As a result about 2 months ago we started helping TGLN with a water highway delivery of these lifesaving organs and tissue to the people who need them. And we are proud to be part of it.”

The JFMU has 4 boats in its fleet allowing resources for this kind of partnership. When they are not being utilized for other police activities and when weather is permitting they are available for the safe transport of health care recovery teams, organs, tissues and specimens across the waterways.

“We are very proud to be working with the JFMU on this innovative transportation collaboration,” said Mark Vimr, Vice President, Clinical Operations and Chief Nursing Officer. “And we want to thank JFMU and all of those involved for their ingenuity and their generosity. I have heard very positive feedback from health care professionals who have been involved in this program, one very recently who, with the help of this timely delivery was able to recover several organs and ensure they reached the recipients safely and quickly. JFMU is helping us give the gift of life.”

TGLN and JFMU thank all of those involved in the collaboration to save more lives including the Peel and Toronto Marine Units, Toronto Emergency Medical Services, Yamaha Canada, Blue Max Lighting and Zodiac Canada. This new relationship has made organ and tissue donation more expedient in this area.

Right now in Ontario, 1768 patients are on the transplant waiting list. Of those, 1093 are men, 675 are women and 33 of those patients are children.

“JFMU looks forward to continuing this project,” said Constable Olesen. “We wanted to do something that would help make a difference. We are pleased to be of help.”

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 across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved. Sign your donor card. Talk to your family about your wishes.

For more details on Trillium Gift of Life Network please visit our website at www.giftoflife.on.ca or call 416.363.4001 or toll free 1-800-263-2833.