THUNDER BAY -- The province is recognizing Thunder Bay's Regional Health Sciences Centre for its work in encouraging a high rate of organ and tissue donation in Northwestern Ontario.
Officials from the Trillium Gift of Life network were on hand this morning, to give the regional hospital an award for its large number of organ and tissue donors.
The regional set a goal of converting 67 per cent of its patients to donors, a goal it was able to meet.
Hospital officials say many people are still not aware of the need, or even how to become an organ donor.
Gary Cooper is a two-time organ recipient. He says before he received his first transplant, being a donor wasn't something he even considered.
“It’s hard to fathom somebody would do that when you’ve never considered it,” Cooper said.
“Prior to me having to undergo the first transplant it was a something that was never thought of, it’s a topic of conversation that really isn’t done at the Sunday supper table.”
Trillium Gift of Life network director Karen Johnson said they had an incredible year.
“We were able to have 296 organ donors and through those organ donors we were able to save 1,173
There are over 1,600 people in Ontario on the organ donation waitlist.
Hospital officials emphasize there is no age restriction on potential donors.
Anyone interested in registering as an organ donor should speak to their families, or visit the website.
(TBT News)
