Three life-saving transplants performed every day in 2015/16

Another record year for organ and tissue donation and transplant in Ontario

TORONTO, May 16, 2016 /CNW/ - Last year in Ontario, 1,173 patients on the transplant wait list were given a second chance at life because of the generosity of organ donors and their families. For the second year in a row, Trillium Gift of Life Network reports a record number of deceased organ donors and patients who received a life-saving transplant.

Between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016, 296 deceased organ donors gave the gift of life, an increase of 9 per cent over last year (and a 61 percent increase over 10 years). More than 2,200 tissue donors enhanced the lives of thousands through the gift of corneas, skin, bone and heart valves, up 16 per cent from 2014/15.  

"Another record year in Ontario confirms that improvements to the donation and transplant system are taking hold, and translating to more lives saved," said Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO of Trillium Gift of Life Network. "We are making progress towards our goal: to ensure that donation is an integral part of quality end-of-life care and that when donation is possible, every family is given the opportunity to save lives."

Also, in 2015/16, over 340,000 Ontarians registered as donors, the highest number ever recorded in one year. By age of consent, 20-29 year olds continue to be most likely to register (22 per cent), compared to all other age groups.

"Ontario's record donation and transplant results should give hope to the 1,600 people who wait for that second chance at life," says Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long Term Care. "All of us can help make a difference.  Register to be an organ donor at www.BeADonor.ca and talk to your family about your wishes. This act could one day save up to eight lives."

Quick facts:

• Today, Ontario's registration rate is 29 per cent (or 3.5 million people)
• Registration rates by community are available at www.BeADonor.ca/scoreboard
• Everyone is a potential organ and tissue donor. To date, the oldest Canadian organ donor was 92 and the oldest tissue donor was over 100.

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

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 2015/2016, 1,173 people in Ontario received a life-saving organ transplant and a second chance at life. (CNW Group/Trillium Gift of Life Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160516_C4926_PHOTO_EN_689929.jpg

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