North Bay is known as a giving city, and here's another reason to be proud.
Trillium Gift of Life Network celebrates a milestone in organ donor registration today with 30 percent of Ontario having registered consent to donate organs and tissue at end of life. Since adopting an affirmative registry in 2008, the registration rate in Ontario has increased by nearly 90 per cent.
Greater awareness has led to the increase, but North Bay’s registration rate continues to top the province. New data available today at www.BeADonor.ca shows that out of 170 communities in Ontario, North Bay ranks first 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, TGLN. “When the majority of Ontarians are registered, and our registration rate exceeds 50 percent, 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: North Bay, Parry Sound, Sudbury, Nipissing South, Kincardine, Bracebridge, Timmins Region, and Nipissing North
While 30 percent of Ontarians have registered their consent, many more may believe they are registered because they carry a paper donor card. In fact, a recent Ipsos survey revealed that as many as 45 percent 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 www.BeADonor.ca.
“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 www.BeADonor.ca and talk to their family about their wishes.”
Quick facts
- In the 2015/2016 fiscal year over 340,000 Ontarians registered as donors, the highest number ever recorded in one year.
- Everyone is a potential donor, regardless of age, sexual orientation, and pre-existing medical conditions.
- Registration rates by communities are available at www.BeADonor.ca/scoreboard
