Be an Organ Donor, Save a Life
by Maryanne Matthews
Kiley Perrier, Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator, TBRHSC, is encouraging everyone to register as an organ and tissue donor. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. Every three days someone in Ontario dies because the life-saving organ transplant they need is not available. Despite this, only 29% of Ontarians have registered their consent to be a donor. It’s really surprising, and it’s not good enough.
There are over 1,600 people in Ontario waiting for organ transplants and thousands more waiting for tissue transplants. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is committed to helping increase the number of registered donors.
“As a community, Thunder Bay is doing well in terms of organ and tissue donation rates, with 47% of the eligible population already registered. However, given our region’s high prevalence of chronic disease, including diabetes and renal failure, it’s really important that we continue to spread the word about how important organ and tissue donation truly is,” explains Kiley Perrier, Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator, TBRHSC. “One organ donor can help save up to eight lives, and with tissue donation you can enhance up to 75 more lives. That’s why we’re asking you to register your consent for organ and tissue donation.”
Discussing your choice with your family is equally as important. “We really encourage you to discuss your decision regarding organ and tissue donation with your family so they can understand and honour your wishes. It also could help save your family from the burden of making such an important decision on your behalf during a very difficult time,” Said Perrier.
Registering to be a donor might be the greatest gift you ever give. Please register today at www.beadonor.ca/tbrhsc.
