Sudbury is one of the communities leading the way when it comes to registered organ donors.
On Aug. 23, Trillium Gift of Life Network celebrated reaching the milestone where nearly one in three Ontarians have registered consent for organ donation at the end of their lives.
Greater awareness has contriubuted to the increase, and 30 per cent of Ontarians have registered, a 90-per-cent increase in the registration rate since 2008.
Sudbury’s registration rate continues to top the province and new data available today at BeADonor.ca (https://www.beadonor.ca/) shows that out of 170 communities in Ontario, Sudbury ranks third with a registration rate of 53 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, Trillium Gift of Life Network in a news release.
“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 Sudbury, North Bay, Parry Sound, Nipissing South, Kincardine, Bracebridge, Timmins Region, and Nipissing North.
“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 BeADonor.ca and talk to their family about their wishes.”
While 30 per cent of Ontarians have registered their consent, many more may believe they are registered because they carry a paper donor card.
A recent Ipsos survey revealed that as many as 45 per cent 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 BeADonor.ca.
