April is BeADonor Month

It takes just one organ donor to save up to eight lives; yet, every three days, someone dies waiting for a life-saving transplant in Ontario.

This is why we recognize April as BeADonor month. In April, we encourage everyone who has not yet registered consent for organ and tissue donation to do so. To register, visit beadonor.ca. In just two minutes, the time it takes to register, you will give hope to nearly 1300 Ontarians waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

There are nearly 1300 people waiting for a transplant in Ontario right now but only 35 per cent of Ontarians have registered their consent to donate. Not only does an organ donor have the power to save lives, one tissue donor can improve the lives of 75 people. Every one of us has the potential to be an organ and tissue donor, regardless of age.

This past year, Lakeridge Health had 16 organ transplants from four organ donors and 99 tissue donors. In recognition of this work, Lakeridge Health received the Provincial Conversion Rate Award for reaching a conversion rate of 67 per cent, which exceeds the target of 63 per cent set by Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN).

Lakeridge Health also received the Award of Excellence for meeting or exceeding the provincial conversion rate target for four or more consecutive years – demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the implementation of donation leading practices. This is Lakeridge Health’s sixth year receiving this award.

As well, for the first time, Lakeridge Health received the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award. This award recognizes hospitals for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating an organ donation discussion with eligible patients and their families at end of life. Lakeridge Health has achieved a 96 per cent eligible approach rate – exceeding the target of 90 per cent set by TGLN.

Every Ontarian has the opportunity to demonstrate their support for this life-saving work by registering their consent to organ and tissue donation at BeADonor.ca.