Nearly 1 in 3 Ontarians are now registered
TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) announces the achievement of a significant milestone in organ and tissue donation: 30 per cent of Ontarians have registered their decision to donate organs and tissue at end of life. Since adopting an affirmative registry in 2008, the registration rate in Ontario has increased by nearly 90 per cent.
"Today, we celebrate our success, and tomorrow, we continue our efforts to normalize organ and tissue donation", said Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO, TGLN. "When the majority of Ontarians are registered, and our registration rate exceeds 50 per cent, that is when we have established a true culture of donation in the province."
In 2011, when TGLN began reporting registration rates by community, not one community in Ontario had reached the 50 per cent benchmark. Today there are eight, including: North Bay, Parry Sound, Sudbury, Nipissing South, Kincardine, Bracebridge, Timmins Region, and Nipissing North.
While 30 percent of Ontarians have registered their consent, many more may believe they are registered because they carry a paper donor card. In fact, a recent Ipsos survey revealed that as many as 45 percent of Ontarians believe they are registered donors. Donor cards are no longer used, as they were difficult for hospital staff to access when necessary. To formally register, or to check your registration status, visit www.BeADonor.ca.
"Organ and tissue donation is incredibly important – one donor can save up to eight lives and help 75 more through tissue donation," said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "Many Ontarians have generously signed a donor card in the past, but it is important that they formally register at www.BeADonor.ca and talk to their family about their wishes."
Quick facts
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: "Trillium Gift of Life Network announced a milestone: 30 per cent of Ontario residents are registered organ and tissue donors. (CNW Group/Trillium Gift of Life Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160823_C6303_PHOTO_EN_756895.jpg
Jennifer Long, Media Relations Coordinator, 416-619-2327, c. 647-526-6941, [email protected]
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