Thursday, October 31, 2013

Record number of hospitals in Ontario championing organ and tissue donation


Nearly 30% more hospitals formally supporting organ and tissue donation than a year ago

TORONTOOct. 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Fifty hospitals are working with Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) to promote and create a positive culture of organ and tissue donation in Ontario. That is an increase of nearly 30 per cent from a year ago.  By the end of 2013 there will be 55 hospitals and by next year, all 60 hospitals in Ontario with capacity to facilitate organ donation, will notify TGLN when a patient has died or is at high risk for imminent death to ensure that all potential opportunities for donation are identified.

Hospitals are also helping to promote organ and tissue donor registration in their communities and actively encouraging their staff to register consent for organ and tissue donation through registration drives. Since April 2012, 24 hospitals have run registration drives with the most successful to date being the tri-hospital drive done by University Health Network, Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael's Hospital, which achieved almost 3,600 visits to Ontario's online donor registry.

"St. Michael's is proud to be a leader in organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Ontario," says Dr. Robert HowardSt. Michael's Hospital President and CEO. "The work we do in our hospital to facilitate organ and tissue donation at end of life and to encourage staff to register results in more lives being saved and enhanced in Ontario.

New data available today at www.BeADonor.ca shows that as of September 30, 2013, 24 per cent or 2.78 million Ontarians have registered their consent to save lives through organ and tissue donation, an increase of 57,806 registrations since June 30, 2013.

"Support for organ and tissue donation continues to grow in every part of our province. This is in large part because of the work of our hospital partners in their communities," says Ronnie Gavsie, TGLN President and CEO. "Our goal is to ensure that at end of life, all opportunities for organ and tissue donation are identified and pursued with family consent to save and enhance as many lives as possible."

Quick Facts:
  • As of September 30, 2013, there were 1,483 people in Ontario waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
  • One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.
  • Top five communities with the most improved registration rate, since June 30 to September 30, 2013 include: HawkesburyEssex, East/Central Prescott and RussellRenfrew, and Cornwall.
  • Ontario has made it very simple to register consent for organ and tissue donation: online at www.BeADonor.ca, in person at a ServiceOntario centre or by mail, download a copy of the consent form at www.giftoflife.on.ca.
Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario 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.

SOURCE Trillium Gift of Life Network

“You Have the Power to Donate Life – Sign-up today! Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

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