Thursday, March 06, 2008

Trillium Gift of Life Network in Ontario, Canada celebrates the success of hospitals in advancing organ and tissue donation

Patti Leonard, Hamilton Health Sciences, receives the Donation Champion award from Frank Markel, President and CEO of TGLN

Patti Leonard, Hamilton Health Sciences, receives the Donation Champion award from Frank Markel, President and CEO of TGLN.

March 6, 2008 - Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) honored the success of hospitals for advancing organ and tissue donation at an awards ceremony held last night.

The awards ceremony kicked off Ontario’s Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative Provincial Learning Session II. The Breakthrough Collaborative is taking place over two days at the Toronto Marriott Hotel. The purpose of the Breakthrough Collaborative is to incorporate organ donations as part of routine end of life care in critical care units in order to increase organ donor rates in Ontario.

“I commend our hospital stakeholders for their dedication to organ and tissue donation,” said Frank Markel, President and CEO of TGLN. “We continue to make incredible progress in organ and tissue donation and the progress we make would not be possible without the cooperation from our intensivists, senior administrators, educators, managers and front-line clinical staff.”

Hamilton Health Sciences received the Award of Excellence. Patti Leonard, of Hamilton Health Sciences was awarded the Donation Champion award and Grand River Hospital received the hospital achieving most improved conversion rate.

As well, twelve hospitals were honored for achieving the 75% benchmark award: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Grand River Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Hotel-Dieu Grace, London Health Sciences Centre, Niagara Health System, The Ottawa Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital and the Sudbury Regional Hospital.

“Organ donation is a complex process involving so many different people and organizations cooperating in what is always a pressure situation. It is important to step back and honor the behind-the-scenes heroes who make these life saving efforts possible,” said Rabbi Reuven Bulka, chair of the TGLN Board of Directors.

One organ donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation.

“You have the power to save lives. Talk to your family about your wishes,” said Markel. “It's critical to share your decision with your family, as they will be asked for final consent to donate your organs after your death.”

For more details on Trillium Gift of Life Network or where you can obtain an organ donor card, please visit the TGLN website or call 416-363-4001 or toll free 1-800-263-2833.

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Download Donor Cards from Trillium Gift of Life Network

Download Donor Cards from OrganDonor.Gov

Your generosity can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance another 50 through tissue donation

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