Oakville Place joins Be a Donor organ drive By John Bkila OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville Place issued a challenge between Nov. 2-11 to have 500 residents register for organ donation in the mall and online. "We want to inform people about the importance of this program and assist them with the quick and easy registration process," Jenny Jovanovic, marketing manager at Oakville Place, said in a news release. In fact, 611 donors were registered through the event dubbed the Ultimate Recycling Challenge, which was held in the mall's centre court and featured organ and tissue transplant recipients, donor families and staff on site to answer questions and assist the community with registration. There was also an informational video, a children's workstation and appearances by mascot Cardiac Carl. Every person who registered received a Recyclables Inside T-shirt. The campaign, in co-operation with the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario's organ and tissue donation agency, aimed to help reduce the number of people on a waiting list. "The more Ontarians we encourage to register as organ and tissue donors, the fewer the 7 · Thursday, November 15, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog Ultimate recycling: Kidney transplant recipients Jennifer Malabar and Ron Newman, both of Oakville, and mascot Cardiac Carl, were at Oakville Place encouraging residents to sign up during a Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) challenge to boost registration for organ donation. number of people who will die waiting for a lifesaving transplant," Tanya-Lisa Elston, TGLN director of communications, said in the release. "With the launch of beadonor.ca in 2011, we simplified the process, making it easier for Ontarians to register their consent. Registration drives like the one Oakville Place is hosting are critical and a wonderful way to increase awareness, encourage action and ultimately save lives." A signed donor card pre-dates the (current) registry and does not mean you are registered, stated the release. A similar organ donor campaign was launched in September by Oakville community leaders to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and the need for residents to register as organ donors and discuss their wishes, concerning organ donation, with their family. Currently, only 2.4 million of 11.5 million eligible Ontario residents over the age of 16 are registered organ and tissue donors, according to the release, with more than 1,500 people on organ and tissue waiting lists. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance 75 more through tissue donations. Visit the TGLN website at www.giftoflife.on.ca for more information on organ donation. OAKVILLE S C I R T A I D E P ARE PEDIATRIC URGENT C PEDIATRIC URGENT CARE PEDIATRICS CLINIC · PEDIATRIC ASTHMA CLINIC · TRAVEL CLINIC · ALLERGY CLINIC First Oakville's Children Walk-IN clinic Our pediatrician is accepting new PATIENTS now. Providing Compounding & FREE medication flavouring, Insulin Pump Supplies & Diabetes Specialty for Kids 15% DISCOUNT PROGRAM. Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30am - 7:00pm Sat: 10:00am - 3:00pm 905-469-9988 FALL 2540 Postmaster Drive @ Dundas St. W. · www.Oakvillepediatrics.com · 905-847-KIDS (5437) HOME SALE Dining tables from $89999 * See store for details THOMASVILLE BURLINGTON 2269 Fairview Street, Burlington Ph. 905-631-6000