City ranked third on organ donation in province, mayor wants to be no.1

Gary Cooper wants Thunder Bay to become the city with the giant heart transplant.

Cooper, whose life has twice been saved by organ donation, said he’d like to see more people signing organ donor cards across Ontario through the Trillium Gift of Life Network.

But while Thunder Bay, at 38 per cent, has the third highest donation rate across the province, there’s only one statistic that matters to the high-profile former OPP officer.

"What is in first place is the fact that people are stepping up, donating organs and people are living," he said.

He’s a living breathing example of success, his latest transplant having taken place less than a year ago.

"I am one of the fortunate people, who not only once, but twice, have been gifted because people saw fit to make an organ donation."

Province-wide, however, only 18 per cent of the adult population has taken the time to sign their card. About 52 per cent of families agree to donate their loved one’s organs after death, a number that jumps to 90 per cent if a card has been signed.

Hence the push to get more people on board, said Trillium Gift of Life president and CEO Frank Markel, who kicked off the upcoming organ and tissue donation week on Thursday at city hall.

"We lose almost half the potential organs for donations because we don’t get the consent. The family says no. That’s a disappointing statistic," Markel said.

Knowing donation is the wish of the deceased takes the pressure off, he added.

"It takes a difficult decision, at a time of anguish, out of their hands."

According to Markel, there are about 1,500 people in Ontario awaiting transplants, and not everyone is lucky enough to survive the wait.

"Last year 103 people died waiting for a transplant," he said. "None of the deaths has to happen. They’re all unnecessary."

Mayor Keith Hobbs, who signed his own donation card on Thursday, issued a challenge to Thunder Bay residents, urging them to do the same.

"I’d like to see Thunder Bay become No. 1," he said.

On Saturday at 10 a.m. at Confederation College a five-kilometre family fun run will be held in support of organ donation.