Kitchener, ON, September 24, 2019
On Tuesday September 24, TGLN presented the Provincial Conversion Rate Award to St. Mary’s for exceeding the 2018/19 target conversion rate of 63 per cent. The conversion rate is the percentage of actual donors from the total number of potentially eligible organ donors. St. Mary’s achieved a conversion rate of 75 per cent.
In 2018-19, St. Mary’s facilitated the recovery of 28 organs from six donors. These organs were transplanted into 24 recipients. There were an additional 25 tissue donors who have helped many more people.
The Hidden Hero Award was presented to both the OR and Cath Lab teams, nominated by their colleagues for their passion and commitment to supporting organ and tissue donation.
St. Mary’s General Hospital OR Team
“The compassionate approach taken by our critical care staff and physicians is vital as they support families through the organ and tissue donation process,” says Angela Stanley, Executive Lead for Organ and Tissue Donation at St. Mary’s. “It is our honour to assist those who wish to give the gift of life.”
“St. Mary’s General Hospital is an outstanding example of how applying leading donation practices can save lives,” says Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “The award is a reflection of the culture of donation established at St. Mary’s, and a reminder of the work that we still need to do in other communities across Ontario. We will not be complacent.”
Today, more than 1,600 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. While the majority of Canadians support donation, only 34 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
Some people believe that their age or medical condition prevents them from being a donor. In actuality, age does not preclude someone from becoming a donor, and each potential donor is assessed at the time of death for medical suitability. Others may not have registered under the misguided assumption that doctors won’t work hard to save a life if that patient is a registered donor, but in fact, the priority is always to save a life. Donation is only considered after all life-saving efforts are exhausted, there is no chance of recovery, and the family accepts the diagnosis of death.
Visit www.beadonor.ca to register or to learn more.
For more information on organ and tissue donation in Ontario, or to learn more about Trillium Gift of Life Network’s Achievement Awards, please contact Jennifer Allan at jallan@giftoflife.on.ca or 416-619-2327.
November 6th, 2018
St. Mary’s General Hospital has been recognized by Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation agency, for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care.
On Tuesday November 6, Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) will present the Provincial Conversion Rate Award to St. Mary’s for exceeding TGLN’s 2017/18 target conversion rate of 58 per cent. The conversion rate is the percentage of actual donors from the total number of potentially eligible organ donors. In 2017/18 the hospital’s conversion rate is 78 per cent, up from 75 per cent when it last won the award in 2016.
In 2017-18, seven organ donors from St. Mary’s. There were 25 donated organs and 30 tissue donors.
“The compassionate approach taken by our critical care staff and physicians is vital as they support families through the organ and tissue donation process,” says Angela Stanley, Executive Lead for Organ and Tissue Donation at St. Mary’s. “It is our honour to assist those who wish to give the gift of life”.
“We are proud to acknowledge the important contributions of our hospital partners because the success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on their hard work and dedication,” adds Ronnie Gavsie President and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “This award reflects the continued commitment of St. Mary’s to implement donation best practices and offer families the opportunity to make a lifesaving choice.”
Today, more than 1,500 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. While the majority of Canadians support donation, only 33 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
Visit www.beadonor.ca to register or to learn more.