Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) was honoured to receive the 2024/25 Ontario Health (TGLN) Hospital Achievement Award, marking the third consecutive year CMH has been recognized for their unwavering commitment to supporting organ and tissue donation.
CMH supported two organ donors this year. This led to nine organs being donated for transplant – saving six lives! There were also 24 tissue donors, which went on to enhance the lives many others.
“Every donation story stays with you,” said Vera Heldman, Clinical Educator Facilitator, Critical Care, whose passion for helping others through donation and education runs deep. “When a family says ‘yes,’ they're also saying ‘goodbye,' while another family gets to say ‘hello’ again. That thought keeps us going.”
This achievement speaks to the quiet strength of CMH's teams where this kind of work spans departments. It's never an easy conversation – it's often filled with both pain and purpose. Supporting families through this choice is a powerful and meaningful part of what these teams do.
“You can feel the weight of that decision every time a family makes it – it's not something you forget,” said a staff member in ICU who has worked with patients and families to support organ and tissue donation. “I thank them – for their courage, kindness, and their generosity to make the decision to give.”
Being recognized by TGLN is a reflection of CMH's culture of compassion and collaboration – so, thank you. Thank you to all the staff and physicians whose commitment to supporting organ and tissue donation saves lives.
The Hospital Achievement Award for Provincial Eligible Approach Rate recognizes the hospital for demonstrating leading practices and facilitating donor discussions with eligible patients and families of patients at end of life. CMH exceeded the target of 90% reaching a 100% eligible approach rate, which underscores the teamwork and empathy that define this work – where excellence is measured not only by the lives saved, but by the humanity behind it.
(picture: Emergency Department staff also play a critical role in supporting organ and tissue donation)
About Ontario Health (TGLN)
Ontario Health (TGLN)’s mission is to save and enhance more lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation in Ontario. In 2024/2025, Ontario hospitals supported 339 organ donors, providing life-saving organ transplants to 836 individuals. For tissue donations, 2,077 tissue donors enhanced the lives of many others. These are made possible by hospital partners who continue to make organ and tissue donation a priority.