Media Advisory - Ontario's organ and tissue donation, transplant numbers up

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - New data available today from Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario's organ and tissue donation and transplantation agency, reveals that in 2015, more than 2,100 tissue donors helped to improve the lives of thousands through the gift of eyes, bone, skin, or heart valves. Since 2010, Ontario has seen a 43 per cent increase in the number of tissue donors.

TGLN also reports a 35 per cent increase in the number of deceased organ donors over the same time period. In 2015, 269 deceased and 279 living donors gave the gift of life to 1,086 individuals waiting for a transplant.

More than 325,000 Ontarians registered their consent to organ and tissue donation last year, marking 2015 the most successful year to date. Since the adoption of an affirmative registry in 2008, TGLN has reported significant increases in the registration rate, which is now 29 per cent, meaning 3.4 million Ontarians are registered donors.

With over 1,600 Ontarians waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, those who register tell those waiting that if they could save their life, they would.

Quick facts:

• It only takes two minutes to register at www.BeADonor.ca
• Families report that organ and tissue donation is a source of comfort as they grieve the loss of their loved one. Donor registration gives families clear evidence of their loved one's wishes.
• Donation and transplant statistics are available by hospital at: www.giftoflife.on.ca/en/publicreporting.htm

Media are invited to contact TGLN for assistance in connecting with real stories about the impact of organ and tissue donation and transplant.

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

Image with caption: "In 2015, 1,086 individuals in Ontario received a lifesaving organ transplant (CNW Group/Trillium Gift of Life Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160203_C2444_PHOTO_EN_612597.jpg

Image with caption: "Since 2010, Ontario has seen a 43 per cent increase in the number of tissue donors (CNW Group/Trillium Gift of Life Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160203_C2444_PHOTO_EN_612599.jpg

Jennifer Long, Media Relations Coordinator, 416-619-2327, c. 647-526-6941, [email protected]