Regen Med needs more donors to become sustainable Thank you to Jamie Smith for bringing attention to the importance of tissue donation. The gift of tissue can be life changing, or even life saving for a recipient. As a bone bank, Regen Med supplies bone for transplants that can return full mobility to patients of all ages, allowing them to resume active hobbies and live independently.
Unfortunately, though every person is a potential tissue donor, the reality is that the opportunity for donation is rare, depending not only on the circumstances of death but also the medical suitability of the patient. Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario’s organ and tissue procurement agency, works closely with hospitals across the province to make sure prospective organ and tissue donors are identified.
Before proceeding with organ and tissue donation, TGLN must obtain family consent. Our coordinators are specially trained to work with people under great strain during a time of shock and loss. In almost all cases, families honour and respect their loved ones' donation decision if they are given evidence that it is what they would want. If they are unsure or unaware of their loved one’s wishes, consent is given only 50% of the time.
Have you registered your consent for organ and tissue donation? Only one in five people in Ontario are registered donors. In Thunder Bay, the percentage is higher, 41% as of September 30, 2011, but there is more work to do. A signed donor card does not mean you are registered. To be sure of your status, or for more information, please visit www.BeADonor.ca.
Sincerely Janet MacLean Vice President, Clinical Affairs Trillium Gift of Life Network
