The CN Tower is turning green Friday evening to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation as BeADonor month kicks off in Ontario.
There are currently more than 1,600 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and every three days someone dies waiting, according to the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN).
Residents are asked to register their consent for organ and tissue donation and encourage others to do the same.
When families have evidence that their loved one wanted to be an organ donor, they are more likely to consent.
Where there is no proof, families consent only half of the time.
“We often hear from donor families that their loved one’s gift has brought them solace in their grief,” said TGLN president and CEO Ronnie Gavsie.
“When a potential donor is registered, families have the comfort of knowing they are affirming their loved one’s wishes.”
Throughout the month Ontario’s hospitals, schools, elected officials and community groups are pitching in for the campaign.
“Now is the perfect time to join the 3.4 million Ontarians who have proudly registered as organ and tissue donors,” said Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins.
One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.
In 2015, 269 deceased and 279 living donors gave the gift of life to 1,086 transplant recipients.
More than 2,100 tissue donors helped improve the lives of thousands through the gift of eyes, bone, skin, or heart valves.
Sign up by clicking here.
-Kelly Roche
qewsouthpost.com 