Work being done at Windsor Regional Hospital to save lives through organ transplants has been recognized.
The Trillium Gift of Life Network has awarded hospital efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care. The honour reflects the number of patients who went on to become donors out of all potential donors. In 2017/2018, Windsor Regional Hospital said it had 29 organ donors, which resulted in 82 transplants performed and another 70 tissue donors who enhanced the lives of many others. In total, 63 per cent of potential donors referred by Windsor Regional Hospital went on 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,” says Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “This award reflects the continued commitment of Windsor Regional Hospital to implement donation best practices and offer families the opportunity to make a lifesaving choice.”
Windsor Regional Hospital’s Dr. Natalie Malus, medical director for the ICU and Hospital Donation Physician, Trillium Gift of Life Network, also received the Hospital Donation Champion Award in recognition of her many years of work promoting the importance of organ and tissue donation in our community. A dozen other hospital workers were also recognized for their efforts in promoting organ donation through a “Hidden Heroes” award.
The hospital said Windsor trails the province with a registration rate of 30 per cent, ranking 156th out of 170 communities in Ontario. Today, more than 1,500 people in Ontario are on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. Only 33 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
The hospital adds that age or medical condition doesn't prevent people from being a donor. Visit www.beadonor.ca to register or to find out how to register.