A US human rights lawyer has today accused the Chinese military of harvesting the organs of imprisoned Falun Gong members to sell to foreign customers.
The report claims that Falun Gong prisoners, jailed for membership of the outlawed spiritual group, are singled out for the transplants during which many of them die.
Mr David Matas presented his shocking findings at a public meeting in Trinity College Dublin and is due to present the information to an Oireachtas sub-committee on human rights tomorrow.
The report also claims transplant operations are routinely supplied in either military-run or military-staffed hospitals in China, despite there not existing an organ donation scheme in the country.
It says Falun Gong prisoners are given systematic blood tests and medical tests, while some hospitals have admitted they have Falun Gong organs for sale.
The report, co-written by former Canadian secretary of state for the Asia Pacific region David Kilgour, accuses China of state sponsorship of the practice. It claims the government has executed a large, but unknown, number of Falun Gong prisoners in the last five years, harvesting their organs for sale to foreign customers at high prices. It also accuses the government of building dedicated facilities for organ transplants without any identifiable source for transplants, other than prisoners.
Mr. Matas called for a series of government travel advisories and public information campaigns to explain that the source of organ transplants in China, with few exceptions, is prisoners. "The market for organs in China is determined by supply and demand. The supply is local, but the demand is, in large part, foreign. We must do everything we can to end this demand," he said.
Mr. Kilgour added: "Our investigations have found Canadians going to China for transplants from Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. The numbers are increasing." Read the article in The Irish Times.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
'Presumed consent' is wrong
according to this opinion article by Catherine Colton
The issue of Presumed Consent for organ donation in Ontario has recently become a much discussed topic and this timely opinion gives us much to consder when forming our views. Because of the intense interest I'm posting the entire article as written.
The Timmins Daily Press
Saturday, February 24, 2007
The issue of whether the government should decide for us if our organs can be donated to someone (after we've died, that is) raises quite a few moral questions, not the least of which is: Do we need the government to interfere in our private lives?
Should they ever interfere?
Is it alright for the government to legislate seatbelt use, for instance, or if and when and where we smoke?
How about abortion - is it in their jurisdiction, or should it remain a private matter? Where do we draw the line?
In other words, what is and is not the government's business?
Canada has one of the worst organ donation rates in the developed world, despite public opinion polls that indicate the vast majority of Canadians support it. This is much the same as blood donation. Canadians believe that about 26 per cent of us donate blood, when in fact the true number is three per cent.
It seems to me we have to be fairly careful about giving the government control over our own ethics, though.
After all, this is the same Big Brother that wears green ribbons in the House of Commons to signify, well ... concern over organ donation/transplantation and/or bipolar disease and/or environmental issues and/or Chechnyan solidarity and/or farmers of America!
Should we actually entrust such an important issue to them? One has to seriously wonder.
The Ontario government is in the position of either increasing the number of organs available for transplant, or paying for transplants out-of-province and/or out-of-country.
Health Minister George Smitherman is apparently very comfortable with making organ donation "presumed," although it's still the case that family physicians consult with the family first before going ahead with the already presumed consent.
Currently, the province does not reimburse those who go elsewhere to receive a transplant.
Those who need the help clearly cannot wait for it - it is truly a matter of life and death, and they aptly name it "the gift of life." The history of transplants is fairly long, dating back as far as the second century B.C., long before post-operative survival techniques were established.
They have ranged from skin to cornea, arteries and veins, kidneys and lungs, hearts and livers, even faces.
As modern immunosuppression techniques developed, so did survival rates - infections were reduced, drug therapy expenses have gone down and transplant patients' daily lives have improved dramatically.
This discussion really involves deceased donors.
Living donors are considered a separate topic entirely.
Living donors are largely family members or close friends, and are viewed by many physicians as the way of the future.
They are also considered by most to be clear examples of selflessness, kindness, generosity and goodness - doing right only for the sake of doing right.
But what the provincial government is attempting to address through its "Citizens Panel on Increasing Organ Donations" is what it terms "presumed consent" by deceased donors.
What this really means is that they're consulting with us (citizens) about increasing organ donations, but one has to wonder if they're trying to justify our giving our organs without our consent by cloaking it in a "panel."
Doesn't that sound a bit like trying to get us to care, and if we don't, then they'll just legislate it!?
Remember when the cable company tried this backward type of reasoning?
You know, you automatically were billed for every channel on Earth unless you contacted them to say you didn't want them all.
That's what the government is proposing - unless you opt out, your organs are available.
When you die, your remains are fair game. Do we really want this?
Such organizations as the Step by Step Organ Transplant Association have no qualms about requesting full provincial funding for out-of-province transplants. But it's no wonder - their members represent those who have been personally touched by tragedies resulting from a lack of available donors.
A recent decision by the Ontario Divisional Court in denying compensation has been ridiculed as disgraceful by them.
Who could expect them to feel any other way - they are in the middle of things and can't possibly make an impartial decision.
For those of us lucky enough to be considered outsiders looking in, however, it's about a host of other motivations such as:
Religion - what if you don't consider it ethical to remove organs for transplant;
Exploitation - what if you have no money and the only way to get it is by donating a kidney, for instance? Isn't that really just out and out coercion? What if your human rights are violated? For example in China, there are cases of organ harvesting from politician prisoners. What if it becomes just another money-making proposition? What if it's done for fame? Or how about somebody who just feels it's too "yucky" to even think about?
It has also been suggested that this is just an extension of Canadians' extreme sense of entitlement - after all, we get "free" health care, so it's not that big of a stretch to assume we should get organs if and when we need them.
But just wait a minute - don't we all have some measure of moral responsibility here? This is a pretty big dilemma, for sure. But can't we think it through ourselves? Do we need to abdicate our duty, and let the government decide for us?
All this being said, it's downright difficult to think about or speak about.
We have to get the discussion going, but mandating it is just not the route to go. Personal morals shouldn't be dictated by governments; we're not told we have to donate blood unless we opt out. We shouldn't be told we have to donate organs either.
Human beings have one natural advantage over the rest of creation - free will. Organ donations should absolutely increase, but not because the government says so.
They should increase because we are educated about the need and feel moved by it. They should increase because we can think and talk about our mortality, and decide on our own, without any government coaxing, that donating our organs could make a life-saving difference to another human being.
Allowing the government to invoke "presumed consent" is like letting them think for us, and make moral decisions for us.
Surely we don't need to give them this kind of authority.
Donate your organs, by all means, and tell everyone that you are going to do it.
Make a big deal out of it if that feels right, and encourage everyone you know to do the same - but don't just leave it up to the government - after all, it's your body.
Catherine Colton holds a B.A. in psychology, a certification in alternative dispute resolution and is currently completing a master's degree in humanities. She is a writer, rights adviser, counsellor and mediator.
The issue of Presumed Consent for organ donation in Ontario has recently become a much discussed topic and this timely opinion gives us much to consder when forming our views. Because of the intense interest I'm posting the entire article as written.
The Timmins Daily Press
Saturday, February 24, 2007
The issue of whether the government should decide for us if our organs can be donated to someone (after we've died, that is) raises quite a few moral questions, not the least of which is: Do we need the government to interfere in our private lives?
Should they ever interfere?
Is it alright for the government to legislate seatbelt use, for instance, or if and when and where we smoke?
How about abortion - is it in their jurisdiction, or should it remain a private matter? Where do we draw the line?
In other words, what is and is not the government's business?
Canada has one of the worst organ donation rates in the developed world, despite public opinion polls that indicate the vast majority of Canadians support it. This is much the same as blood donation. Canadians believe that about 26 per cent of us donate blood, when in fact the true number is three per cent.
It seems to me we have to be fairly careful about giving the government control over our own ethics, though.
After all, this is the same Big Brother that wears green ribbons in the House of Commons to signify, well ... concern over organ donation/transplantation and/or bipolar disease and/or environmental issues and/or Chechnyan solidarity and/or farmers of America!
Should we actually entrust such an important issue to them? One has to seriously wonder.
The Ontario government is in the position of either increasing the number of organs available for transplant, or paying for transplants out-of-province and/or out-of-country.
Health Minister George Smitherman is apparently very comfortable with making organ donation "presumed," although it's still the case that family physicians consult with the family first before going ahead with the already presumed consent.
Currently, the province does not reimburse those who go elsewhere to receive a transplant.
Those who need the help clearly cannot wait for it - it is truly a matter of life and death, and they aptly name it "the gift of life." The history of transplants is fairly long, dating back as far as the second century B.C., long before post-operative survival techniques were established.
They have ranged from skin to cornea, arteries and veins, kidneys and lungs, hearts and livers, even faces.
As modern immunosuppression techniques developed, so did survival rates - infections were reduced, drug therapy expenses have gone down and transplant patients' daily lives have improved dramatically.
This discussion really involves deceased donors.
Living donors are considered a separate topic entirely.
Living donors are largely family members or close friends, and are viewed by many physicians as the way of the future.
They are also considered by most to be clear examples of selflessness, kindness, generosity and goodness - doing right only for the sake of doing right.
But what the provincial government is attempting to address through its "Citizens Panel on Increasing Organ Donations" is what it terms "presumed consent" by deceased donors.
What this really means is that they're consulting with us (citizens) about increasing organ donations, but one has to wonder if they're trying to justify our giving our organs without our consent by cloaking it in a "panel."
Doesn't that sound a bit like trying to get us to care, and if we don't, then they'll just legislate it!?
Remember when the cable company tried this backward type of reasoning?
You know, you automatically were billed for every channel on Earth unless you contacted them to say you didn't want them all.
That's what the government is proposing - unless you opt out, your organs are available.
When you die, your remains are fair game. Do we really want this?
Such organizations as the Step by Step Organ Transplant Association have no qualms about requesting full provincial funding for out-of-province transplants. But it's no wonder - their members represent those who have been personally touched by tragedies resulting from a lack of available donors.
A recent decision by the Ontario Divisional Court in denying compensation has been ridiculed as disgraceful by them.
Who could expect them to feel any other way - they are in the middle of things and can't possibly make an impartial decision.
For those of us lucky enough to be considered outsiders looking in, however, it's about a host of other motivations such as:
Religion - what if you don't consider it ethical to remove organs for transplant;
Exploitation - what if you have no money and the only way to get it is by donating a kidney, for instance? Isn't that really just out and out coercion? What if your human rights are violated? For example in China, there are cases of organ harvesting from politician prisoners. What if it becomes just another money-making proposition? What if it's done for fame? Or how about somebody who just feels it's too "yucky" to even think about?
It has also been suggested that this is just an extension of Canadians' extreme sense of entitlement - after all, we get "free" health care, so it's not that big of a stretch to assume we should get organs if and when we need them.
But just wait a minute - don't we all have some measure of moral responsibility here? This is a pretty big dilemma, for sure. But can't we think it through ourselves? Do we need to abdicate our duty, and let the government decide for us?
All this being said, it's downright difficult to think about or speak about.
We have to get the discussion going, but mandating it is just not the route to go. Personal morals shouldn't be dictated by governments; we're not told we have to donate blood unless we opt out. We shouldn't be told we have to donate organs either.
Human beings have one natural advantage over the rest of creation - free will. Organ donations should absolutely increase, but not because the government says so.
They should increase because we are educated about the need and feel moved by it. They should increase because we can think and talk about our mortality, and decide on our own, without any government coaxing, that donating our organs could make a life-saving difference to another human being.
Allowing the government to invoke "presumed consent" is like letting them think for us, and make moral decisions for us.
Surely we don't need to give them this kind of authority.
Donate your organs, by all means, and tell everyone that you are going to do it.
Make a big deal out of it if that feels right, and encourage everyone you know to do the same - but don't just leave it up to the government - after all, it's your body.
Catherine Colton holds a B.A. in psychology, a certification in alternative dispute resolution and is currently completing a master's degree in humanities. She is a writer, rights adviser, counsellor and mediator.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
About Organ Allocation
in the United States
This excerpt from an article in the February issue of Transplant Living discusses the current protocol for organ allocation in the United States.
Matching Organs
Under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Services & Resources Administration (HRSA), the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) maintains a centralized computer network, UNetSM, which links all organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and transplant centers. This computer network is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with organ placement specialists in the UNOS Organ Center always available to answer questions.
Within UNet, every organ sharing institution is electronically linked in a secure, real-time environment over the Internet so that donated organs can be placed as quickly as possible. While UNet utilizes the Internet for common access to UNOS members, it employs secure password access to protect confidential medical data.
Matching Donor Organs With Transplant Candidates
When a deceased organ donor is identified, a transplant coordinator from an organ procurement organization accesses the UNet system. Each transplant candidate in the "pool" is matched by the system against the donor characteristics. The system then generates a ranked list of patients, called a "match run," for each organ that is procured from that donor in ranked order according to organ allocation policies. Factors affecting ranking may include tissue match, blood type, length of time on the waiting list, immune status and the distance between the potential recipient and the donor. For heart, liver and intestines, the potential recipient's degree of medical urgency is also considered. Therefore, the UNet system generates a differently ranked list of patients for each donor organ matched.
The organ is offered to the transplant team of the first person on the list. Often, the top transplant candidate will not get the organ for one of several reasons. When a patient is selected, he or she must be available, healthy enough to undergo major surgery and willing to be transplanted immediately. Also, a laboratory test to measure compatibility between the donor and potential recipient may be necessary. If the organ is refused for any reason, the transplant hospital of the next patient on the list is contacted. The process continues until a match is made. Once a patient is selected and contacted and all testing is complete, surgery is scheduled and the transplant takes place...read the complete article at Transplant Living.
Matching Organs
Under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Services & Resources Administration (HRSA), the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) maintains a centralized computer network, UNetSM, which links all organ procurement organizations (OPOs) and transplant centers. This computer network is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with organ placement specialists in the UNOS Organ Center always available to answer questions.
Within UNet, every organ sharing institution is electronically linked in a secure, real-time environment over the Internet so that donated organs can be placed as quickly as possible. While UNet utilizes the Internet for common access to UNOS members, it employs secure password access to protect confidential medical data.
Matching Donor Organs With Transplant Candidates
When a deceased organ donor is identified, a transplant coordinator from an organ procurement organization accesses the UNet system. Each transplant candidate in the "pool" is matched by the system against the donor characteristics. The system then generates a ranked list of patients, called a "match run," for each organ that is procured from that donor in ranked order according to organ allocation policies. Factors affecting ranking may include tissue match, blood type, length of time on the waiting list, immune status and the distance between the potential recipient and the donor. For heart, liver and intestines, the potential recipient's degree of medical urgency is also considered. Therefore, the UNet system generates a differently ranked list of patients for each donor organ matched.
The organ is offered to the transplant team of the first person on the list. Often, the top transplant candidate will not get the organ for one of several reasons. When a patient is selected, he or she must be available, healthy enough to undergo major surgery and willing to be transplanted immediately. Also, a laboratory test to measure compatibility between the donor and potential recipient may be necessary. If the organ is refused for any reason, the transplant hospital of the next patient on the list is contacted. The process continues until a match is made. Once a patient is selected and contacted and all testing is complete, surgery is scheduled and the transplant takes place...read the complete article at Transplant Living.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
North American first:
Successful bridge to lung transplant with external, artificial lung for patient at Toronto General Hospital
“…This artificial lung – the Novalung - provides the hope that we can ‘bridge’ or keep a patient alive until a life-saving lung transplant is possible.”
(Toronto, February 14, 2007) – In a North American first, the lung transplant team at Toronto General Hospital (TGH), University Health Network used the Novalung, an external, artificial lung to keep a patient alive, until a set of donor organs became available for transplantation. The artificial lung functions like normal lungs, while avoiding or reducing lung injuries linked to the use of a breathing machine or ventilator.
The procedure was performed because there were no other options for the patient, and the team raced again time to save the patient’s life. Subsequent procedures will be part of a clinical trial at TGH testing the artificial lung as a bridge-to-transplant for end-stage lung disease patients who are waiting for a lung transplant. The device has been used in the Balad Theatre Hospital in Iraq on soldiers who have been critically wounded and needed life-saving measures.
The three-hour procedure at TGH was performed on December 2, 2006 by a 20-member team headed by Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Director of the Lung Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital, Director of the Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, and Professor and Chair, Division of Thoracic Surgery, at the University of Toronto. The patient was on the artificial lung for one day until a pair of lungs and a heart became available for her on December 3, 2006. She remained on the artificial lung for one more day after the operation, allowing her newly transplanted lungs to recover from the procedure. Other key members of the team included: Drs. Tom Waddell, Marc De Perrot, Andrew Pierre, Stefan Fischer, Terry Yau, Stuart Reynolds, and cardiac perfusion manager Stephen Harwood, along with a team of OR and intensive care nurses, anesthesiologists, and other health-care professionals.
“Without the artificial lung, our young patient would not be alive today to be a beloved daughter, wife and mother for her three children,” said Dr. Keshavjee. “This young woman came to TGH and was found to be so ill that she was admitted to our intensive care unit on the same day. She needed to have a lung transplant urgently and the wait for donor lungs can be between three to five months,” he said. The TGH lung transplant program performs between 80 to 90 transplants a year, making it one of the largest transplant centres in the world.
Yen Tran, 21, is the mother of 4-year old fraternal twins and a 14-month-year-old son. She had rarely been sick in her life, had played soccer in high school, but began to have difficulty breathing after she had her third child. At first, she thought she was “just out of shape,” but grew alarmed when she eventually could not walk up and down the stairs in her home, and her lips and nails turned a dark blue.
Yen was admitted to TGH with a condition known as primary or unexplained pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels putting a strain on the heart. Yen began to realize how ill she was and wondered if she would survive.
“I hoped that I could get a pair of lungs, but I was not sure if I could wait that long,” she said, adding that after the transplant, she feels she was “brought back to life and given a second chance. I’m so grateful that I was able to benefit from the artificial lung and a generous donor for real ones. I’m so glad to be alive, and I’m so glad that I can go home to my children.”
One of the most terrifying fears which patients waiting for a lung transplant face daily is that they may die before they are able to get a set of donor lungs, explains Dr. Keshavjee, adding that about 20% of patients on the waiting list die before getting a transplant. “Until now, there have been few options for these desperately ill patients, and this device provides hope that we can ‘bridge’ or keep a patient alive long enough to receive a life-saving lung transplant.”
The Novalung or Interventional Lung Assist Device is about the size of a CD case and essentially does the work of the lungs. The blood leaving the device has the same amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide that exits the normal lung because the patient’s blood passes through a type of special filtering membrane in the device. A unique feature of this device is that it does not require a pump to run it, thereby reducing damage to blood cells. It is attached to a patient via tubes through the femoral (thigh) blood vessels and is powered by the patient’s own heartbeat.
The German company NovaLung GmbH is funding the clinical trial.
Toronto General Hospital is a partner in the University Health Network, along with the Toronto Western Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital. These teaching hospitals are affiliated with the University of Toronto. Toronto General Hospital is a national and international source for research, education and patient care, and is recognized internationally for its innovations in transplantation, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, diabetes and genomic medicine. The lung transplant program is renowned worldwide for its innovation and comprehensiveness in treating patients with severe and complex lung diseases. A pioneer in research on how best to preserve fragile lungs, the program is currently developing new molecular diagnostic and treatment strategies to repair and improve the quality of donor lungs, which could increase the number of transplants performed and survival after transplant.
(Toronto, February 14, 2007) – In a North American first, the lung transplant team at Toronto General Hospital (TGH), University Health Network used the Novalung, an external, artificial lung to keep a patient alive, until a set of donor organs became available for transplantation. The artificial lung functions like normal lungs, while avoiding or reducing lung injuries linked to the use of a breathing machine or ventilator.
The procedure was performed because there were no other options for the patient, and the team raced again time to save the patient’s life. Subsequent procedures will be part of a clinical trial at TGH testing the artificial lung as a bridge-to-transplant for end-stage lung disease patients who are waiting for a lung transplant. The device has been used in the Balad Theatre Hospital in Iraq on soldiers who have been critically wounded and needed life-saving measures.
The three-hour procedure at TGH was performed on December 2, 2006 by a 20-member team headed by Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Director of the Lung Transplant Program at Toronto General Hospital, Director of the Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories, and Professor and Chair, Division of Thoracic Surgery, at the University of Toronto. The patient was on the artificial lung for one day until a pair of lungs and a heart became available for her on December 3, 2006. She remained on the artificial lung for one more day after the operation, allowing her newly transplanted lungs to recover from the procedure. Other key members of the team included: Drs. Tom Waddell, Marc De Perrot, Andrew Pierre, Stefan Fischer, Terry Yau, Stuart Reynolds, and cardiac perfusion manager Stephen Harwood, along with a team of OR and intensive care nurses, anesthesiologists, and other health-care professionals.
“Without the artificial lung, our young patient would not be alive today to be a beloved daughter, wife and mother for her three children,” said Dr. Keshavjee. “This young woman came to TGH and was found to be so ill that she was admitted to our intensive care unit on the same day. She needed to have a lung transplant urgently and the wait for donor lungs can be between three to five months,” he said. The TGH lung transplant program performs between 80 to 90 transplants a year, making it one of the largest transplant centres in the world.
Yen Tran, 21, is the mother of 4-year old fraternal twins and a 14-month-year-old son. She had rarely been sick in her life, had played soccer in high school, but began to have difficulty breathing after she had her third child. At first, she thought she was “just out of shape,” but grew alarmed when she eventually could not walk up and down the stairs in her home, and her lips and nails turned a dark blue.
Yen was admitted to TGH with a condition known as primary or unexplained pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels putting a strain on the heart. Yen began to realize how ill she was and wondered if she would survive.
“I hoped that I could get a pair of lungs, but I was not sure if I could wait that long,” she said, adding that after the transplant, she feels she was “brought back to life and given a second chance. I’m so grateful that I was able to benefit from the artificial lung and a generous donor for real ones. I’m so glad to be alive, and I’m so glad that I can go home to my children.”
One of the most terrifying fears which patients waiting for a lung transplant face daily is that they may die before they are able to get a set of donor lungs, explains Dr. Keshavjee, adding that about 20% of patients on the waiting list die before getting a transplant. “Until now, there have been few options for these desperately ill patients, and this device provides hope that we can ‘bridge’ or keep a patient alive long enough to receive a life-saving lung transplant.”
The Novalung or Interventional Lung Assist Device is about the size of a CD case and essentially does the work of the lungs. The blood leaving the device has the same amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide that exits the normal lung because the patient’s blood passes through a type of special filtering membrane in the device. A unique feature of this device is that it does not require a pump to run it, thereby reducing damage to blood cells. It is attached to a patient via tubes through the femoral (thigh) blood vessels and is powered by the patient’s own heartbeat.
The German company NovaLung GmbH is funding the clinical trial.
Toronto General Hospital is a partner in the University Health Network, along with the Toronto Western Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital. These teaching hospitals are affiliated with the University of Toronto. Toronto General Hospital is a national and international source for research, education and patient care, and is recognized internationally for its innovations in transplantation, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, diabetes and genomic medicine. The lung transplant program is renowned worldwide for its innovation and comprehensiveness in treating patients with severe and complex lung diseases. A pioneer in research on how best to preserve fragile lungs, the program is currently developing new molecular diagnostic and treatment strategies to repair and improve the quality of donor lungs, which could increase the number of transplants performed and survival after transplant.
Monday, February 12, 2007
A North American first in lung transplant will be announced on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network
On Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at Toronto General Hospital, a North American first in lung transplant is being introduced to the media . A young mother, whose life was saved by an innovative device, and a subsequent lung and heart transplant, will speak and answer any media questions about her remarkable recovery. Medical experts will also be available to speak about procedure.
This special event will take place during the regular lung transplant support group meeting from 11AM to 12PM.
Location: Toronto General Hospital, Astellas Pharma Conference Room (previously named: “Fujisawa Conference Room”), NCSB 11C- Room 1135 (11th Floor - please use west elevators). This is an open meeting and all are welcome
This special event will take place during the regular lung transplant support group meeting from 11AM to 12PM.
Location: Toronto General Hospital, Astellas Pharma Conference Room (previously named: “Fujisawa Conference Room”), NCSB 11C- Room 1135 (11th Floor - please use west elevators). This is an open meeting and all are welcome
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Curling and/or Luncheon for Organ Donation Awareness Saturday, April 7
This annual bonspiel and luncheon has become a "must attend" event over the years.
Date: Saturday, April 7, 2007
Time: Curling starts at 10:00 AM (9:00 A.M - 9:45 A.M. intro & practice)
Place: Brantford Golf & Country Club, Brantford, ,Ontario
Lunch: The 2 hour lunch social event begins at noon and curling resumes at 2:00 P.M. with the awards presentations at 4:00 P.M. NON-CURLERS ARE WELCOME! If you are not a curler it is still a wonderful event to meet and socialize with others in the transplant community. I attended for lunch only last year and had a terrific time.
Open to all interested in promoting organ and tissue donation awareness. Bring your spouse, friends, family members. Put a team together!! No experience is necessary!! If not part of a team you can enter individually and will be placed on a team according to your ability (see registration form).
A team consists of 4 players. The Lead, the Second, the Third or the Vice-Skip and the Skip. Every curler plays 2 stones per end. There are two six-end games.
Wear warm, comfortable clothing, rubber soled shoes and gloves.
Brooms are supplied and one of your shoes will be taped for sliding.
Merv.
Date: Saturday, April 7, 2007
Time: Curling starts at 10:00 AM (9:00 A.M - 9:45 A.M. intro & practice)
Place: Brantford Golf & Country Club, Brantford, ,Ontario
Lunch: The 2 hour lunch social event begins at noon and curling resumes at 2:00 P.M. with the awards presentations at 4:00 P.M. NON-CURLERS ARE WELCOME! If you are not a curler it is still a wonderful event to meet and socialize with others in the transplant community. I attended for lunch only last year and had a terrific time.
Open to all interested in promoting organ and tissue donation awareness. Bring your spouse, friends, family members. Put a team together!! No experience is necessary!! If not part of a team you can enter individually and will be placed on a team according to your ability (see registration form).
A team consists of 4 players. The Lead, the Second, the Third or the Vice-Skip and the Skip. Every curler plays 2 stones per end. There are two six-end games.
Wear warm, comfortable clothing, rubber soled shoes and gloves.
Brooms are supplied and one of your shoes will be taped for sliding.
- Brantford Golf & Country Club, Brantford, Ontario.
Directions:Take Hwy 403 to Paris Rd South to Hardy Rd. Go right on Hardy and turn left on Ava Rd. - Cost: Curling & Lunch - $30.00 Lunch Only - $20.00
- Registration Deadline: March 14th
- Sponsored by Clarica and the Lung Association
- Contact Rosemary Ebert at Clarica (phone 519-752-3751 x244)
Merv.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Organ and Tissue Donation Information Sessions
If you would like more information about organ and tissue donation or how to become a volunteer for Trillium Gift of Life Network these information sessions are for you.
We all want to increase the rate of organ donation in Ontario and these sessions are part of the recent initiatives by Trillium Gift of Life Network to increase awareness.
And according to the number of transplants this year to date, Trillium’s programs are starting to show success. See the statistics.
The first training and information sessions will be taking place at Toronto General Hospital and as noted below, further sessions will be held in Thunder Bay, Coldwater (north of Toronto), Ottawa, Kitchener, Windsor and London. More communities will be added this summer.
If you would like to become a volunteer in your area, or to organize a training and information session in your community, Cailey Crawford will be very pleased to hear from you.
We all want to increase the rate of organ donation in Ontario and these sessions are part of the recent initiatives by Trillium Gift of Life Network to increase awareness.
And according to the number of transplants this year to date, Trillium’s programs are starting to show success. See the statistics.
The first training and information sessions will be taking place at Toronto General Hospital and as noted below, further sessions will be held in Thunder Bay, Coldwater (north of Toronto), Ottawa, Kitchener, Windsor and London. More communities will be added this summer.
- TORONTO, Tuesday, February 13, 7:00PM to 9:00PM
- TORONTO, Saturday, February 17, 11:00AM to 1:00PM
- Toronto General Hospital, Astellas Pharma Conference Room ( previously named Fujisawa Conference Room), NCSB 11C- Room 1135 (11th Floor)
- THUNDER BAY, Tuesday, February 20, 7:00PM to 9:00PM
- COLDWATER (NORTH OF TORONTO), Monday, March 5, 10:00AM to 12:00PM
- OTTAWA, Thursday, March 8, 7:00PM to 9:00PM
- KITCHENER-WATERLOO AREA, Wednesday, March 21, 7:00PM to 9:00PM
registration deadline is March 17th. Please reply to Cailey Crawford.
LOCATION:
Conestoga College, Doon Campus, 299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, Ontario.
Main Building, E-Wing, room 2E31 (park in lot 13)
NOTE: The Doon Campus is just off highway 401 at the Homer Watson Blvd. exit. It's very convenient to many communities in South-Western Ontario, such as Guelph, Cambridge, Woodstock, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo and surrounding areas.
NOTE: Letter size posters are available to help spread the word about the Kitchener meeting. If you would like to help inform the public about this event please email Cailey Crawford for the poster. - WINDSOR, Thursday, March 22, 7:00PM to 9:00PM
- LONDON, Saturday, March 24, 11:00AM to 1:00PM
To register for these sessions or for more information please contact Cailey Crawford at e-mail or phone 416-619-2305 or 1-800-263-2833.
LOCATION:
(These are duplicate sessions for the convenience of attendees)
LOCATION:
Central Evangelical Free Church - 1250 Balmoral Street in Thunder Bay.
LOCATION:
Coldwater United Church, 16 Harriet Street, Coldwater
NB: this session is slightly different from the other sessions as it is part of a general presentation to a Church group and will focus less on volunteering with Trillium Gift of Life Network. If you are interested in learning more about organ and tissue donation, please come along and I can chat with folks about volunteering directly after the session is over.
LOCATION:
Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Room TBC
LOCATION:
CAW 200/444 Local Office, 1855 Turner Road, Windsor, Ontario
LOCATION:
London Public Library, Stevenson and Hunt, Room A
To register for these sessions or for more information please contact Cailey Crawford by at e-mail or phone 416-619-2305 or 1-800-263-2833
If you would like to become a volunteer in your area, or to organize a training and information session in your community, Cailey Crawford will be very pleased to hear from you.
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
RECORD LEVELS OF ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATIONS REACHED IN ONTARIO
Minister Says Donations Are On The Rise But More Still To Be Done
TORONTO, February 7, 2007 – The lives of more than 880 people were saved as organ and tissue donations hit record levels in 2006, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.
“Organ and tissue donations save lives,” said Smitherman. “By making an informed decision and letting family and loved ones know, everyone has the opportunity to give the gift of life for the 1,700 people on the organ donation waiting list.”
In 2006, 883 lives were saved as a result of living and deceased donation – 112 more than in 2005. The organ and tissue donors included:
Currently in Ontario, there are 1,742 people on the transplant waiting list. This includes 1,074 men, 623 women and 45 children.
“Our dedicated transplant team is making a difference in the lives of many by pioneering innovative approaches to organ transplantation and encouraging people to give the gift of life,” said Dr. Robert Bell, CEO of the University Health Network.
“I'm so proud and grateful to be a double lung recipient,” said 14-year-old Brandon Gibson. “I'm living proof that organ donation saves lives. I owe all my thanks to a wonderful family out there who in their darkest moment made a conscious decision to save a life. Thank you for taking away my oxygen tank, and for helping me to play hockey again. I love playing with my sisters and my friends. I wouldn't be here if someone hadn't had the conversation about their organ donation wishes. Sign your donor card and speak to your family today about what you would want. Someone did and saved my life. You can too.”
Everyone is a potential organ and tissue donor. The oldest Canadian organ donor to date was over 90 years of age while the oldest tissue donor was 102. Ultimately the ability to become an organ and tissue donor depends on several factors including the health of the organs and tissue.
“The McGuinty government is proud of the work by health professionals, donors and their families who make a difference for so many people,” said Smitherman. “We want to promote greater awareness about everyone’s potential to become a donor. That’s why we created a citizen’s panel to gather views from Ontarians on how to increase organ donation in this province. We look forward to hearing from this panel.”
In November 2006, the minister created the Citizen’s Panel for Increasing Organ Donation. The panel is currently traveling across the province hearing from Ontarians about organ donation. The panel will report to the minister in March.
Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.
TORONTO, February 7, 2007 – The lives of more than 880 people were saved as organ and tissue donations hit record levels in 2006, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.
“Organ and tissue donations save lives,” said Smitherman. “By making an informed decision and letting family and loved ones know, everyone has the opportunity to give the gift of life for the 1,700 people on the organ donation waiting list.”
In 2006, 883 lives were saved as a result of living and deceased donation – 112 more than in 2005. The organ and tissue donors included:
- 274 living donations – an increase from 247 in 2005
- 172 deceased donors – up from 148 in 2005
- 843 tissue donors – an increase from 436 in 2005
Currently in Ontario, there are 1,742 people on the transplant waiting list. This includes 1,074 men, 623 women and 45 children.
“Our dedicated transplant team is making a difference in the lives of many by pioneering innovative approaches to organ transplantation and encouraging people to give the gift of life,” said Dr. Robert Bell, CEO of the University Health Network.
“I'm so proud and grateful to be a double lung recipient,” said 14-year-old Brandon Gibson. “I'm living proof that organ donation saves lives. I owe all my thanks to a wonderful family out there who in their darkest moment made a conscious decision to save a life. Thank you for taking away my oxygen tank, and for helping me to play hockey again. I love playing with my sisters and my friends. I wouldn't be here if someone hadn't had the conversation about their organ donation wishes. Sign your donor card and speak to your family today about what you would want. Someone did and saved my life. You can too.”
Everyone is a potential organ and tissue donor. The oldest Canadian organ donor to date was over 90 years of age while the oldest tissue donor was 102. Ultimately the ability to become an organ and tissue donor depends on several factors including the health of the organs and tissue.
“The McGuinty government is proud of the work by health professionals, donors and their families who make a difference for so many people,” said Smitherman. “We want to promote greater awareness about everyone’s potential to become a donor. That’s why we created a citizen’s panel to gather views from Ontarians on how to increase organ donation in this province. We look forward to hearing from this panel.”
In November 2006, the minister created the Citizen’s Panel for Increasing Organ Donation. The panel is currently traveling across the province hearing from Ontarians about organ donation. The panel will report to the minister in March.
Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty government’s plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.
April 22-29, 2007 is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in Canada
Now is the time to start planning activities in your community.
The history of National Organ Donor and Tissue Donor Week
An Act respecting a National Organ Donor Week in Canada
Chapter 4, 45-46 E II, 1996-97 Bill C-202 (35th Parliament)
The short title is the National Organ Donor Week Act. To ensure that, in each and every year, the last full week of April is known as National Organ Donor Week
The month of April is National Donate Life Month in the U.S.
The history of National Organ Donor and Tissue Donor Week
An Act respecting a National Organ Donor Week in Canada
Chapter 4, 45-46 E II, 1996-97 Bill C-202 (35th Parliament)
The short title is the National Organ Donor Week Act. To ensure that, in each and every year, the last full week of April is known as National Organ Donor Week
The month of April is National Donate Life Month in the U.S.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Live Kidney Donor Recognition & Education Night April 16
St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto is asking for your help…please see message below.
St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto will be hosting a Live Kidney Donor Recognition and Education Night on Monday, April 16/07. The event will provide an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and give thanks to donors. There have been over 500 living kidney donor transplants performed at St. Michael's since 1973. The planning committee needs your help to contact as many of the donors as possible. If you are a recipient, please forward the name and contact information of your donor to Sharon Lee (416) 864-6060 ext 4173. If you are a donor please contact us so we ensure your name is on the invitation list.
St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto will be hosting a Live Kidney Donor Recognition and Education Night on Monday, April 16/07. The event will provide an opportunity to publicly acknowledge and give thanks to donors. There have been over 500 living kidney donor transplants performed at St. Michael's since 1973. The planning committee needs your help to contact as many of the donors as possible. If you are a recipient, please forward the name and contact information of your donor to Sharon Lee (416) 864-6060 ext 4173. If you are a donor please contact us so we ensure your name is on the invitation list.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A Life a Year - Be a Live Donor
A Life a Year™ is a charitable non-profit foundation presently being formed to help living liver donors with the financial burden that comes with being a living donor. Founder Pat Murray of Toronto started A Life A Year™ after she donated her liver to save another's life at great personal expense through the loss of a minimum of three months salary while recovering from the operation.
Pat hopes that knowing financial help is available will encourage more people to consider live liver donation. There is an urgent need for liver donors with almost 430 people on the waiting list for a liver transplant in Ontario alone.
Here's a bit of information about Pat: She is a mother, a drama teacher and a songstress (jazz vocalist). She heard about another mother, Ally Cassidy, who needed a liver in order to survive. Pat did not even know what a "live donor" was when she met the recipient's husband at a social event. Pat was so taken by Ally's story that she made a decision to donate her liver to Ally, a complete stranger, if she was compatibile. The transplant took place in September, 2006 and five months later both Pat's and Ally's lives have changed forever.
And that's when I came into the picture. Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation was approached by Pat for help and guidance in setting up her foundation and they recommended she talk to me. Now, after meeting both Pat and Ally, my life has been transformed once again. Being with people who are blessed with the spirit of giving to help fellow human beings is an uplifting experience and this is a picture of my first meeting with Pat and Ally. We met over coffee at Starbuck's in Toronto General Hospital last week.
A Life a Year™ is presently applying for a charitable number to issue tax receipts, designing a web site and recording a CD with all proceeds going to the fund. Please watch for further announcements.
For more information e-mail Pat Murray.
You can read Pat's bio at her professional web site. Note: Pat will be the featured vocalist Saturday, February 3rd, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm at The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, 194 Queen St. W., Toronto. She will be performing with her recipient Ally's husband, Bruce Cassidy and his 9-piece band, the Hotfoot Orchestra.
Pat hopes that knowing financial help is available will encourage more people to consider live liver donation. There is an urgent need for liver donors with almost 430 people on the waiting list for a liver transplant in Ontario alone.
Here's a bit of information about Pat: She is a mother, a drama teacher and a songstress (jazz vocalist). She heard about another mother, Ally Cassidy, who needed a liver in order to survive. Pat did not even know what a "live donor" was when she met the recipient's husband at a social event. Pat was so taken by Ally's story that she made a decision to donate her liver to Ally, a complete stranger, if she was compatibile. The transplant took place in September, 2006 and five months later both Pat's and Ally's lives have changed forever.
And that's when I came into the picture. Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation was approached by Pat for help and guidance in setting up her foundation and they recommended she talk to me. Now, after meeting both Pat and Ally, my life has been transformed once again. Being with people who are blessed with the spirit of giving to help fellow human beings is an uplifting experience and this is a picture of my first meeting with Pat and Ally. We met over coffee at Starbuck's in Toronto General Hospital last week.
A Life a Year™ is presently applying for a charitable number to issue tax receipts, designing a web site and recording a CD with all proceeds going to the fund. Please watch for further announcements.
For more information e-mail Pat Murray.
You can read Pat's bio at her professional web site. Note: Pat will be the featured vocalist Saturday, February 3rd, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm at The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, 194 Queen St. W., Toronto. She will be performing with her recipient Ally's husband, Bruce Cassidy and his 9-piece band, the Hotfoot Orchestra.
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Citizens Panel schedules new public meetings
Further to my previous announcement the Citizen’s Panel on organ donation is conducting a series of new meetings throughout Ontario as follows:
SPECIAL HAMILTON, ONTARIO MEETINGS - January 31, 2007
(3 separate meetings - times and venues are still being arranged)
The panel is very interested in hearing from organ donors and recipients and to that end there will be three separate meetings in Hamilton; one for organ donors, one for organ recipients and another for the general public.
These meetings are being conducted on behalf of the Citizens Panel by Gail Haarsma of Fleishman-Hillard Canada.
Please let Gail know of your intention to attend and she will make sure you are notified of the times and meeting locations.
E-mail
Phone: 613-234-8960
Cell : 613-286-8623
Fax : 613-238-9380
ADDED TORONTO, ONTARIO MEETING - January 31, 2007
7:00 .p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Metro-Central YMCA
20 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario
Room 2A/2B, 3rd Floor
Moderators: Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes and Marilyn Kuntz.
- Kenora, January 22
- Thunder Bay, January 23
- Hearst, January 23
- Timmins, January 24 (French)
- Kingston, January 29
- Toronto, January 30
- Sudbury (English), January 30
- Huntsville, January 30
- Barrie, January 31
- Hamilton (special meetings – see below), January 31
- Toronto, (added Toronto meeting - see below) January 31
- Sudbury (French) February 5
- Timmins (English) February 6
- Sturgeon Falls (French) February 6
- Sault Ste. Marie February 7
- North Bay, February 7
SPECIAL HAMILTON, ONTARIO MEETINGS - January 31, 2007
(3 separate meetings - times and venues are still being arranged)
The panel is very interested in hearing from organ donors and recipients and to that end there will be three separate meetings in Hamilton; one for organ donors, one for organ recipients and another for the general public.
These meetings are being conducted on behalf of the Citizens Panel by Gail Haarsma of Fleishman-Hillard Canada.
Please let Gail know of your intention to attend and she will make sure you are notified of the times and meeting locations.
Phone: 613-234-8960
Cell : 613-286-8623
Fax : 613-238-9380
ADDED TORONTO, ONTARIO MEETING - January 31, 2007
7:00 .p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Metro-Central YMCA
20 Grosvenor Street
Toronto, Ontario
Room 2A/2B, 3rd Floor
Moderators: Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes and Marilyn Kuntz.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Bone marrow donors needed
I’m pleased to post this request for bone marrow donors. A marrow or blood cell transplant is a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood diseases. A transplant replaces a patient's unhealthy blood cells with healthy blood-forming cells from a volunteer donor. The three sources of blood-forming cells are marrow, blood-forming cells collected from the blood (called a PBSC donation) and umbilical cord blood. Merv.
"I am currently running an organ donation awareness group here at the University of Ottawa. As a part of our efforts, we would also like to raise awareness about bone marrow donation. There are hundreds of Canadians that need Bone Marrow Transplants to treat life threatening illnesses. Below is a link to information of how you can register to become a donor. The process is easy, you just need to read some information about what is required of the donor, register and you will be contacted shortly to have some blood taken so that your information will be available.
Please take the time to visit the Canadian Blood Services web site to see if you would like to be a Bone Marrow Donor, or send this on to friends and family to get the word out!
Canadian Blood Services
It takes about 20 minutes to join the registry, and then you will be required to go in to get some blood work done. The procedure can be pretty intimidating, but just remember, if you're matched to someone, you'll be saving their life. Only 30% of people who need bone marrow are matched to their family, that leaves a lot of very sick people who need unrelated donors.
Even if you don't think it's something for you, please pass the link along to friends and family to spread the word. Thanks everyone for your support and for your patience!
Gill Bayley”
email
"I am currently running an organ donation awareness group here at the University of Ottawa. As a part of our efforts, we would also like to raise awareness about bone marrow donation. There are hundreds of Canadians that need Bone Marrow Transplants to treat life threatening illnesses. Below is a link to information of how you can register to become a donor. The process is easy, you just need to read some information about what is required of the donor, register and you will be contacted shortly to have some blood taken so that your information will be available.
Please take the time to visit the Canadian Blood Services web site to see if you would like to be a Bone Marrow Donor, or send this on to friends and family to get the word out!
Canadian Blood Services
It takes about 20 minutes to join the registry, and then you will be required to go in to get some blood work done. The procedure can be pretty intimidating, but just remember, if you're matched to someone, you'll be saving their life. Only 30% of people who need bone marrow are matched to their family, that leaves a lot of very sick people who need unrelated donors.
Even if you don't think it's something for you, please pass the link along to friends and family to spread the word. Thanks everyone for your support and for your patience!
Gill Bayley”
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Monday, January 22, 2007
Quit smoking - drive away in a car
This news release from Toronto Public Health should help to motivate smokers who want to quit. The new car and wide screen TV's are tempting rewards.
TORONTO, Jan. 22 /CNW/ - For anyone who has made a resolution to quit smoking, the provincial Driven to Quit Challenge, hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society, offers a powerful reason to quit for good - a chance to win a 2007 Acura CSX.
Contest registration starts today, Monday, January 22, during National Non Smoking Week and runs until Wednesday, February 28. Participants must be at least 19 years old, and must be smoke-free for the entire month of March.
The grand prize presentation takes place in April. In addition to the Acura CSX, there are seven regional prizes of Sony widescreen TVs. "Smokers have an opportunity to quit, with the support of thousands of other Driven to Quit Challenge participants," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "There are many effective quit-smoking resources available."
For more information, contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600, or the Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-3333. For contest details or to register, visit the Driven to Quit Challenge website at driventoquit.
For quit smoking tips, visit the Toronto Public Health website at
Toronto health.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and innovation in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.
TORONTO, Jan. 22 /CNW/ - For anyone who has made a resolution to quit smoking, the provincial Driven to Quit Challenge, hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society, offers a powerful reason to quit for good - a chance to win a 2007 Acura CSX.
Contest registration starts today, Monday, January 22, during National Non Smoking Week and runs until Wednesday, February 28. Participants must be at least 19 years old, and must be smoke-free for the entire month of March.
The grand prize presentation takes place in April. In addition to the Acura CSX, there are seven regional prizes of Sony widescreen TVs. "Smokers have an opportunity to quit, with the support of thousands of other Driven to Quit Challenge participants," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "There are many effective quit-smoking resources available."
For more information, contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600, or the Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-3333. For contest details or to register, visit the Driven to Quit Challenge website at driventoquit.
For quit smoking tips, visit the Toronto Public Health website at
Toronto health.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and innovation in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.
Organ donation in New Zealand at an all time low
Howick and Pakuranga Times
Monday, January 22, 2007
Organ donations have hit a record low, according to figures released by the Australia and NZ Organ Donor Registry (ANZOD).
Just 25 organ donors were registered in New Zealand for 2006, down from the previous record low of 29 in 2005.
Prior to 2005, New Zealand averaged 40 organ donors a year, still considered low by international standards.
The figures places this country between Iceland and Mexico for the number of donors it has, at just six donors per million of population.
At the other end of the scale, Spain has 35 donors per million, the United States has 21 and the United Kingdom 10.7.
Up to 400 New Zealanders are on the ANZOD waiting list for organs and many more are waiting for transplantation of corneas, heart valves, bone or skin.
Some people will die while waiting for a heart, lung or liver.
Andy Tookey from GiveLife NZ has campaigned to reform the organ donation system for five years.
Presently family members of donors are asked for consent of organ donation at the time of death and the decision can be overturned.
Mr Tookey says low road tolls and improved medical care have improved critical care outcomes
Monday, January 22, 2007
Organ donations have hit a record low, according to figures released by the Australia and NZ Organ Donor Registry (ANZOD).
Just 25 organ donors were registered in New Zealand for 2006, down from the previous record low of 29 in 2005.
Prior to 2005, New Zealand averaged 40 organ donors a year, still considered low by international standards.
The figures places this country between Iceland and Mexico for the number of donors it has, at just six donors per million of population.
At the other end of the scale, Spain has 35 donors per million, the United States has 21 and the United Kingdom 10.7.
Up to 400 New Zealanders are on the ANZOD waiting list for organs and many more are waiting for transplantation of corneas, heart valves, bone or skin.
Some people will die while waiting for a heart, lung or liver.
Andy Tookey from GiveLife NZ has campaigned to reform the organ donation system for five years.
Presently family members of donors are asked for consent of organ donation at the time of death and the decision can be overturned.
Mr Tookey says low road tolls and improved medical care have improved critical care outcomes
January 21 to 27 is
National Non-Smoking Week
Smoking rates are dropping but lung cancer deaths are still the leading cause of cancer deaths. And every 11 minutes a Canadian dies from tobacco use; that's more than 37,000 people a year!
Hopefully the Cancer Society's campaign to help Canadians quit smoking will result in a continued drop in smoking rates. Young people just don't realize how devastating smoking can be to their future but the impact sure hits home when you talk to patients on the waiting list for a lung transplant, who are suffering from smoking-related diseases, such as COPD and emphysema.
TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Approximately 23,000 Canadians were diagnosed with lung cancer last year and over 19,300 died from the disease.
"The good news is that the latest tobacco use statistics from Health Canada show a continuing downward trend in smoking among Canadians 15 and older," says Heather Logan, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "The bad news is that lung cancer continues to take a huge toll on Canadians. Through our advocacy, education and quit-smoking programs we hope to see these rates continue to drop."
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer. To find out more about cancer, our quit-smoking programs and materials, visit our website, or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.
(Note: You can visit the Smokers Helpline on the web and the toll-free phone helpline is 1 877 513-5333)
Hopefully the Cancer Society's campaign to help Canadians quit smoking will result in a continued drop in smoking rates. Young people just don't realize how devastating smoking can be to their future but the impact sure hits home when you talk to patients on the waiting list for a lung transplant, who are suffering from smoking-related diseases, such as COPD and emphysema.
TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Approximately 23,000 Canadians were diagnosed with lung cancer last year and over 19,300 died from the disease.
"The good news is that the latest tobacco use statistics from Health Canada show a continuing downward trend in smoking among Canadians 15 and older," says Heather Logan, Director, Cancer Control Policy, Canadian Cancer Society. "The bad news is that lung cancer continues to take a huge toll on Canadians. Through our advocacy, education and quit-smoking programs we hope to see these rates continue to drop."
- Advocacy: Our advocacy efforts have ensured the implementation of strong effective, tobacco control legislation and policies at all levels of government.
- Helping Smokers Quit: Developed with input from smokers who have successfully quit, the Canadian Cancer Society offers an innovative step-by-step self-help quit program - called One Step at a Time - for smokers and those who care about them. Watch for the launch of our revised One Step at a Time material later this year.
- Smokers' Helplines: Available across Canada, a free, confidential telephone support service for smokers trying to quit and the people who support them.
- Research: Every year the Canadian Cancer Society encourages and funds research that will help to control tobacco use. The Society was a founding partner of the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Initiative, which funds tobacco control research in Canada. The Society provides $500,000 annually to this initiative.
- Information: We provide Canadians with up-to-date comprehensive information about tobacco, smoking, lung cancer prevention and treatment. We supply this information through print material, our website and our Cancer Information Service.
The Canadian Cancer Society leads the fight against tobacco and our collective efforts across Canada are making a difference:
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer. To find out more about cancer, our quit-smoking programs and materials, visit our website, or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.
(Note: You can visit the Smokers Helpline on the web and the toll-free phone helpline is 1 877 513-5333)
- Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease, disability and death in Canada.
- Cigarette smoking causes about 30 per cent of cancer deaths in Canada and more than 85 per cent of lung cancers.
- Every 11 minutes, a Canadian dies from tobacco use.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.
- Second-hand smoke is linked to the deaths of more than 1,000 Canadians every year.
Stats and research
The facts
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
SickKids sets a new Canadian record for heart transplants in 2006
TORONTO, Jan. 16 /CNW/ - The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) performed 20 heart transplants on children from across the country in 2006, setting a record for the number of heart transplants performed in a year by a Canadian paediatric transplant centre.
Since the SickKids Cardiac Transplant Program began in 1990, 191 heart transplants have been performed at the hospital, establishing SickKids as one of the largest paediatric heart transplant centres in North America.
As there is no average length of time to receive a heart, the use of leading-edge technology, such as the Berlin Heart (a ventricular assist device system), has allowed SickKids to help children survive longer waits for a suitable donor heart. To date, four patients at SickKids have been assisted by the device...read full press release
Since the SickKids Cardiac Transplant Program began in 1990, 191 heart transplants have been performed at the hospital, establishing SickKids as one of the largest paediatric heart transplant centres in North America.
As there is no average length of time to receive a heart, the use of leading-edge technology, such as the Berlin Heart (a ventricular assist device system), has allowed SickKids to help children survive longer waits for a suitable donor heart. To date, four patients at SickKids have been assisted by the device...read full press release
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Organ Donor Panel now paying for public input
An Ontario panel tasked with finding out what people think of becoming automatic organ donors is relying on paid focus groups after holding several public meetings across the province where no one showed up.
The panel has held 23 public meetings since it was appointed in November, but chairman Ted Boadway said the hearings were plagued by low turnout. The group is now gauging public opinion by paying for a dozen focus groups and conducting an online survey.
It's not that people don't care about organ donation, but rather the fact the meetings were scheduled to take place before Christmas and people simply didn't have time to attend, Boadway said.
"That's been a disappointment for us," he said. "People have a huge number of things pushed onto their plate each and every day. There's a huge clutter out there and it's very difficult to get through that clutter."
The panel, which has a $1-million budget, is paying a cross-section of people $50 each to discuss organ donation, including the concept of presumed consent, which would effectively make every eligible Ontario resident an automatic organ donor unless they opt out.
The panel has held 23 public meetings since it was appointed in November, but chairman Ted Boadway said the hearings were plagued by low turnout. The group is now gauging public opinion by paying for a dozen focus groups and conducting an online survey.
It's not that people don't care about organ donation, but rather the fact the meetings were scheduled to take place before Christmas and people simply didn't have time to attend, Boadway said.
"That's been a disappointment for us," he said. "People have a huge number of things pushed onto their plate each and every day. There's a huge clutter out there and it's very difficult to get through that clutter."
The panel, which has a $1-million budget, is paying a cross-section of people $50 each to discuss organ donation, including the concept of presumed consent, which would effectively make every eligible Ontario resident an automatic organ donor unless they opt out.
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Windsor Organ Donor Awareness Events
Windsor, Ontario has a very active group of volunteers promoting Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness. Here's an event they have planned for the first half of the year. Their initiatives to promote organ and tissue donation awareness are to be commended and I encourage you to support their events if you are in the area.
The following announcement is from Tom Awad
To organ recipients and donor families
We run a slo pitch softball tournament here in Windsor each year to promote organ donor awareness. The weekend date is Saturday, June 16th, and Sunday, June 17th, 2007. Because slo pitch is being considered for the Canadian Games in Windsor for 2008 , I am trying to put a team together from all over Ontario to enter the tournament.
We will enter a team in the Men's E division which is more of a fun recreational division or the Co-ed division for men and women, depending on the response.
I would like to have 14-15 players minimum as we are guaranteed to play at least 3 games on the weekend. Hopefully we will get enough responses and have a warm up game for the 2008 Canadian transplant games here in Windsor
The following will be allowed to play:
The cost per player is $ 20.00.
The games are at Mic Mac park here in Windsor and played both Saturday and the Championship will be on Sunday. If we are good team we could end up playing 4 or 5 games in the Tournament.
Americans are invited to bring their own team.
For out of town guests, any one playing will be able to stay at the dorms at St. Clair college for $10.00 the Saturday nite, any accompanying person can stay there also at $ 20.00 for the night.
If There is enough response we will have a fun party Saturday night...somewhere to be determined.
The St. Clair residence is new and the rooms are air conditioned
If an out of province person wants to play , they are most welcome
Any one wishing to participate, please e-mail me or call at 519-944-5760.
This will be a fun tournament.
Please pass this email to any donor or recipient families and media people you may know or ICU MEDICAL STAFF
If you are ENTERING please email your full name and address, include what organ you had transplanted and your age AND PLEASE REPLY by January 15th OR SOONER SO WE CAN MAKE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS.
The past two years we have had a total of 27 and 29 teams, at our tournament , it would be perfect if we had a trahsplant team ,hopefully we can make up a couple of teams.
The proceeds will go to the CTA organizing committee for the 2008 games.
Do not hesitate to ask any questions-Tom
Thomas Awad, Chair, Sport-Fest Windsor 06
Promoting Organ Donor Awareness
Help turn "Tragedies into Miracles"
by signing your organ donor card.
2008 CANADIAN TRANSPLANT GAMES COMING TO WINDSOR
519-944-5760
e-mail
5165 Colbourne Dr. Windsor, On.
N8T 1T6 Canada
The following announcement is from Tom Awad
To organ recipients and donor families
We run a slo pitch softball tournament here in Windsor each year to promote organ donor awareness. The weekend date is Saturday, June 16th, and Sunday, June 17th, 2007. Because slo pitch is being considered for the Canadian Games in Windsor for 2008 , I am trying to put a team together from all over Ontario to enter the tournament.
We will enter a team in the Men's E division which is more of a fun recreational division or the Co-ed division for men and women, depending on the response.
I would like to have 14-15 players minimum as we are guaranteed to play at least 3 games on the weekend. Hopefully we will get enough responses and have a warm up game for the 2008 Canadian transplant games here in Windsor
The following will be allowed to play:
- Organ Recipients or members of their families
- Donor family members
- Members of hospital staff who work in the ICU units or the transplant floors or TGLN staff
- Media personalities, as long as they promote our event, and or do cover stories. If we have enough media people we may form a media team, so we recipients will have someone who we can beat
- Bone marrow recipients also
The cost per player is $ 20.00.
The games are at Mic Mac park here in Windsor and played both Saturday and the Championship will be on Sunday. If we are good team we could end up playing 4 or 5 games in the Tournament.
Americans are invited to bring their own team.
For out of town guests, any one playing will be able to stay at the dorms at St. Clair college for $10.00 the Saturday nite, any accompanying person can stay there also at $ 20.00 for the night.
If There is enough response we will have a fun party Saturday night...somewhere to be determined.
The St. Clair residence is new and the rooms are air conditioned
If an out of province person wants to play , they are most welcome
Any one wishing to participate, please e-mail me or call at 519-944-5760.
This will be a fun tournament.
Please pass this email to any donor or recipient families and media people you may know or ICU MEDICAL STAFF
If you are ENTERING please email your full name and address, include what organ you had transplanted and your age AND PLEASE REPLY by January 15th OR SOONER SO WE CAN MAKE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS.
The past two years we have had a total of 27 and 29 teams, at our tournament , it would be perfect if we had a trahsplant team ,hopefully we can make up a couple of teams.
The proceeds will go to the CTA organizing committee for the 2008 games.
Do not hesitate to ask any questions-Tom
Thomas Awad, Chair, Sport-Fest Windsor 06
Promoting Organ Donor Awareness
Help turn "Tragedies into Miracles"
by signing your organ donor card.
2008 CANADIAN TRANSPLANT GAMES COMING TO WINDSOR
519-944-5760
5165 Colbourne Dr. Windsor, On.
N8T 1T6 Canada
Monday, January 08, 2007
More Ontario hospitals to report potential donors
21 hospitals in Ontario, Canada are now reporting as Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) works to increase donor rates in Ontario
January 8, 2007 - Toronto, ON -Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) announced an expansion of the number of hospitals participating in Routine Notification and Request (RNR) today, ensuring more identification and reporting of potential donors to TGLN's Provincial Resource Centre.
"This is an exciting day for TGLN," said Frank Markel, President and CEO of Trillium Gift of Life Network. "Expanding RNR to an additional 8 hospitals ensures an increase in accurate identification of potential donors. It also provides an opportunity for eligible families to donate and fulfill their loved one's wishes more often. We had a great deal of success with the first phase of RNR that was implemented last January, and have every reason to believe phase two will mean new hope for all of those people on the waiting list today."
On January 9, 2006, the McGuinty government enacted a section of the Trillium Gift of Life Network Act requiring RNR. In the 10 months following, referrals from hospitals have nearly tripled leading to increases in organ and tissue donation.
Today's announcement means the following hospitals will be participating in RNR: The Scarborough Hospital (Grace Campus & General Campus), St. Mary's General Hospital, Niagara Health System (Douglas Memorial Hospital, Greater Niagara General, Port Colborne General, St. Catharines General and Welland Hospital sites), Royal Victoria Hospital, York Central Hospital, Grand River Hospital, Lakeridge Health Corporation and William Osler Health Centre (Etobicoke General Hospital & Peel Memorial Hospital).
The original 13 hospitals participating in RNR include: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Hotel-Dieu Grace (Windsor), Kingston General Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, Sudbury Regional Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Trillium Health Centre and University Health Network.
Other initiatives TGLN is utilizing to increase organ and tissue donation rates in Ontario are:
"We will continue working hard at these initiatives so that we can make a difference to the over 1700 people on the waiting list in Ontario today," said Markel.
Today in Ontario, 1737 patients are on the transplant waiting list. Of those, 1100 are men, 637 are women and 37 of those patients are children.
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.
January 8, 2007 - Toronto, ON -Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) announced an expansion of the number of hospitals participating in Routine Notification and Request (RNR) today, ensuring more identification and reporting of potential donors to TGLN's Provincial Resource Centre.
"This is an exciting day for TGLN," said Frank Markel, President and CEO of Trillium Gift of Life Network. "Expanding RNR to an additional 8 hospitals ensures an increase in accurate identification of potential donors. It also provides an opportunity for eligible families to donate and fulfill their loved one's wishes more often. We had a great deal of success with the first phase of RNR that was implemented last January, and have every reason to believe phase two will mean new hope for all of those people on the waiting list today."
On January 9, 2006, the McGuinty government enacted a section of the Trillium Gift of Life Network Act requiring RNR. In the 10 months following, referrals from hospitals have nearly tripled leading to increases in organ and tissue donation.
Today's announcement means the following hospitals will be participating in RNR: The Scarborough Hospital (Grace Campus & General Campus), St. Mary's General Hospital, Niagara Health System (Douglas Memorial Hospital, Greater Niagara General, Port Colborne General, St. Catharines General and Welland Hospital sites), Royal Victoria Hospital, York Central Hospital, Grand River Hospital, Lakeridge Health Corporation and William Osler Health Centre (Etobicoke General Hospital & Peel Memorial Hospital).
The original 13 hospitals participating in RNR include: Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Hotel-Dieu Grace (Windsor), Kingston General Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, The Ottawa Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, Sudbury Regional Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Trillium Health Centre and University Health Network.
Other initiatives TGLN is utilizing to increase organ and tissue donation rates in Ontario are:
- Introduction and implementation of Donation after Cardiac Death
- Effective requesting training for all TGLN in-hospital coordinators
- Adoption of best practices from the United States' "Breakthrough Collaborative"
- Increased education and awareness of the facts around organ and tissue donation aimed at the general public and healthcare providers
"We will continue working hard at these initiatives so that we can make a difference to the over 1700 people on the waiting list in Ontario today," said Markel.
Today in Ontario, 1737 patients are on the transplant waiting list. Of those, 1100 are men, 637 are women and 37 of those patients are children.
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.
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
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