Throughout the month of April, Humber River Health (Humber) recognizes BeADonor Month to raise awareness on the importance of organ and tissue donations in saving lives.

Together with Ontario Health’s Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) and its partners, Humber works to ensure that families have the opportunity to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation.

Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN)

Part of Ontario Health, the Trillium Gift of Life Network is responsible for coordinating and delivering organ and tissue donation and transplantation services throughout the province. Through advocacy, partnerships, education, support, and relationship building, the TGLN works to help others fulfill their responsibilities in saving the lives of Ontarians in need of a transplant. Learn more about the TGLN here.

Eligible Approach Rate Award

For three years in a row, the TGLN has recognized Humber with the Eligible Approach Rate Award, highlighting the Hospital’s commitment to saving and transforming lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. This award is given to hospitals who demonstrate leading practices by facilitating donation discussions with eligible patients and families of patients at end of life.

Organ and Tissue Donations

There are currently about 1,400 people in Ontario waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 people through tissue donation. In 2023, 365 deceased organ donors gave the gift of life and almost 2,000 tissue donors enhanced the lives of thousands.

Regardless of age or health, everyone has the potential to be an organ and tissue donor.

Safety Concerns

Organ and tissue transplantation is a safe surgical procedure that places a healthy organ or tissue from a donor to a person in need. Eligibility to donate organs and tissues is assessed at the time of death from information obtained during a medical social questionnaire completed with families. Every organ is also tested for suitability to ensure the transplant can help as many people as possible.

Living Donations

Living donations occur when a living person donates part of, or a full organ for transplant to an individual in need. Organs donated by a living donor are often healthier at the time of operation, leading to a better functioning organ and longer graft survival. Living donations have the potential to reduce donation wait times from years to months.

Green Shirt Day

As part of Humber’s BeADonor Month initiatives, many staff, physicians, and volunteers wore green in honour of Green Shirt Day on April 7. Humber also raised the BeADonor flag at the Wilson Hospital to remind others of how essential organ and tissue donations are in transforming and enhancing lives.

Become a Donor

Anyone aged 16 years and older can become an organ and tissue donor by registering at http://www.beadonor.ca/ or through your local Service Ontario when renewing their personal effects. It is also important to share your decision with your loved ones so they know your wishes.

Talk to your family about your donation decision and click here to learn more.

 

The success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on the hard work and dedication of our hospitals. Humber continues to work with Ontario Health’s Trillium Gift of Life Network to support and care for individuals and their families in need of life-saving donations.