Did you know that one organ donor can save up to 8 lives and enhance up to 75 more through tissue donation?
Trillium Gift of Life Network was created to help save and enhance lives by increasing organ and tissue donation for transplantation in Ontario. They introduce workplaces, like ours, to this cause and provide an exciting way for each one of us to participate through an online registration drive – and it only takes two minutes to do!
One organ donor can save up to eight lives. At any given time in Ontario, 1,600 men, women and children are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Every three days one of them dies waiting.
There’s a good chance you already support this cause – 80 per cent of Ontarians say that giving consent for organ and tissue donation in advance is very important to them yet only 26 per cent have actually registered to be organ and tissue donors. Many Ontarians mistakenly believe they are registered because they previously signed a paper donor card. Please check to make sure you are indeed registered.
Common Myths & Misconceptions
There are numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding organ and tissue donation for transplantation. We’re hoping that by busting some of these myths more people will register to donate. These myths busters are great for use on Twitter and other social media forums, so please share them!
MYTH: Doctors won’t work hard enough to save me if I am a registered donor.
FACT: The first and foremost duty of health care professional is to save a life. Only when a life cannot be saved does organ and tissue donation become an option. Organ and tissue donor registration is confidential and accessed only when a patient has died or death is imminent for the purpose of sharing the donation decision with families.
MYTH: No one would want my organs - I’m too old/I’m too sick.
FACT: The oldest organ donor was over 90 and the oldest tissue donor was 102. Anyone can be a registered organ and tissue donor regardless of age or health. Medical testing following death determines whether organs and tissue are suitable for transplant. If they are not, the donation process does not proceed.
MYTH: Asking a devastated family about organ and tissue donation is cruel.
FACT: Most donor families feel a great sense of pride and comfort to know that their loved one has gone on to save and enhance peoples lives.
MYTH: My religion is against organ donation.
FACT: All major religions support organ and tissue donation or respect an individual’s choice. To find out the perspective of your religion, visit Trillium Gift of Life Network’s website.
MYTH: I won’t be able to have an open casket at my funeral.
FACT: Organ and tissue recovery is done with great skill and respect and should not impact funeral arrangements.
MYTH: Transplants don’t work.
FACT: Transplants save and enhance lives. They are a cost effective form of treatment for end stage organ disease but the system relies on human compassion for success. Click to watch recipients talk about transplants.
MYTH: The organ waiting list gives preference to the rich and famous.
FACT: The allocation and matching process in Ontario is based on medical criteria not social status. Organ allocation is based on medical urgency, blood type/group, the size of the organ, and the relative distance (of a prospective match).
