LIVING GREEN RIBBONS FORMED ACROSS THE PROVINCE

Events held in 11 cities to recognize National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Week in Ontario

April 26, 2007 - Toronto, ON – Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) and The Kidney Foundation of Canada, working in partnership with local volunteer groups formed province wide living green ribbons over the last 5 days in recognition of National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week in Ontario.

“This is a record year for the number of cities participating in the living green ribbon event,” said Frank Markel, President and CEO of Trillium Gift of Life Network. “This is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation across this province, and we hope all of the events this week will help people think about organ and tissue donation, talk to their families about their wishes and sign their donor cards.”

Participants wearing green ponchos joined together and formed Living Green Ribbons in Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa, Renfrew, Sarnia, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor.

"When we began the Living Green Ribbon, our greatest wish was that it could become a provincial event drawing attention each year to the tremendous need for organ and tissue donation," said Leanne McDougall, Director on the Kidney Foundation Ottawa Board. "Our dream has become a reality and now, with the support of the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Kidney Foundation offices across the province are holding their own Living Green Ribbon events. Together we will be able to take a strong message to everyone in Ontario that organ and tissue donation works, saves lives, gives sight, eases suffering and provides a second chance to many who feared that chance would never come."

The Kidney Foundation of Canada began The Living Green Ribbon concept 6 years ago in Ottawa, Ontario.

Today in Ontario, 1748 patients are on the transplant waiting list. Of those, 1086 are men, 632 are women and 30 of those patients are children.

“National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week is a 7 day event held annually to promote the importance of organ and tissue donation,” said Markel. “Events like this one today celebrate the efforts of volunteers, the generosity of donors and the lives of those who have been given the gift of life. If you want to find out about more events that are taking place this week, please visit our website at Trillium Gift of Life.

Note: For information about all participating cities & links to photos of previous Living Green Ribbons please go to: Living Green Ribbon.