St. Mary’s recognized for championing organ and tissue donation
Kitchener, ON | St. Mary’s General Hospital was honoured today with the Provincial Conversation Rate Award for outstanding efforts integrating organ and tissue donation into end-of-life care. Recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network), St. Mary’s assisted five donors who gave the gift of life.
The conversion rate represents the percentage of potential organ donors (patients receiving end-of-life care) who are determined to be good candidates for organ donation and whose own wishes, and the wishes of their families, make organ and tissue donation possible.
“For families making the choice to donate a loved ones’ organs or tissues, they are not only honouring their wishes, but are giving another person life and another family the gift of hope,” says Leisa Faulkner, Vice President Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive, St. Mary’s General Hospital. “The compassionate approach taken by our critical care staff and physicians is vital as they support families through one of their most difficult days. They help families say goodbye to someone that they love but also help them to know that through this donation, are giving another family the gift of time. It’s an honour to be a part of this important work.”
Today, more than 1,500 people are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die waiting. Over 90% of Ontarians support donation, yet only 35% have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.
“St. Mary’s General Hospital made an outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation in Ontario and this award is a reflection of that important work,” says Judy Linton, Chief Nursing Executive & Clinical Institutes and Quality Programs Executive. Ontario Health. “The collaboration and partnership Ontario Health (TGLN) has with our hospitals is critical to saving lives and we are so appreciative of their ongoing commitment. Every Ontarian has the opportunity to demonstrate their support for this lifesaving work by registering their consent to donate organs and tissue at BeADonor.ca.”
By registering consent to donate, you make your family aware of your decision to save lives. Visit www.beadonor.ca to register or to learn more.
– 30 –
More Information:
Dayna Giorgio
Manager, Communications
St. Mary’s General Hospital
dgiorgio@smgh.ca | 519-895-6540
Background
Located in the heart of Kitchener, Ontario, St. Mary’s is the second-largest acute care hospital in the St. Joseph’s Health System and a Regional Cardiac Care Centre. We proudly serve the residents of Waterloo, Wellington County, and extend our reach to Dufferin, Grey-Bruce and beyond.
Our nearly 2,000 staff, physicians and volunteers provide excellent, compassionate care to hundreds of thousands of patients and families every year in our core areas of clinical focus:
- Cardiac Care (Regional Cardiac Centre)
- Respiratory Care (Level 1 Thoracic Surgery Centre)
- Outpatient (Day) Surgery
- General Medicine
- 24/7 Emergency Care
St. Mary’s core programs and services are provided at our main hospital site. Our community-based programs and services are offered at locations throughout Waterloo Region.
Learn more about Our Mission, Values & History and the future of care at St. Mary’s.