The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 Ofono Weekly Times - 5 : : : >v ■ci üé Organ and tissue donations increase with new legislation The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, March 21 /CNW/ - Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) indicated indicated today that in the 10 weeks following the enactment of legislation to improve organ and tissue donations throughout throughout the province, referrals from hospitals have tripled leading to increases in organ and tissue donation. On January 9, 2006, the McGuinty government enacted enacted a section of the Trillium Gift of Life Network Act requiring routine notification and request ("RNR"). RNR requires the 13 type 'A' hospitals hospitals to report every death to TGLN. Reporting of every death ensures that accurate identification identification can be made of a potential potential donor and that eligible families be provided the opportunity to fulfill their loved one's wishes. "The early statistics we've seen from the phased-in implementation of RNR in the largest hospitals in the province show very promising results," said Dr. Frank Markel, President and GEO of TGLN. "When you compare organ and tissue donation rates since the implementation of RNR over results from the same period last year - both the referrals from hospitals and the actual organ and tissue donations rates have increased significantly. We are confident with the full implementation of RNR and the additional measures TGLN is prepared to take, we have the framework to provide us with the tools needed to continue to increase donor rates in Ontario," he added. Trillium Gift' of Life Network is . a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved. Currently in Ontario, organ donation occurs after brain death and only a small percentage (approximately 1.5%) of all hospital deaths (on average 30,000 per year) result from a determination of neurological death (brain death). Dr. Markel detailed a series of initiatives that will be undertaken to increase organ and tissue donation rates in Ontario: • Full implementation of Routine Notification and Request by the end of 2006/07 • Introduction of Donation after Cardiac Death • Effective requesting training training for all TGLN in-hospi tal coordinators • Adoption of best practices . from the United States', "Breakthrough Collaborative" Collaborative" • Increased education and awareness of the facts around organ and tissue donation aimed at the general general public and healthcare providers "This regulation is paving the way to ensuring that eligible eligible donors are-identified in a timely manner, and we are very proud of that," said George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "We remain committed to increasing organ and tissue donation rates in this province so many more lives can be improved or saved by this extraordinary gift." Trillium . Gift of Life Network is working to ensure that Ontario has an effective, efficient and safe organ and tissue donation and organ transplantation system that works for all Ontarians - for donors, their families and the patients who. need an organ New Dutch Oven Weekend Brunch Buffet Sat/Sun & Holidays • 8 a.m,-3 p.m. ALL YOU CAN EAT! jour selection of... Cereals with milk Homemade bread Omelette Bar • Fresh Fruit • Fruit Salad Traditional Hot Meat and Potatoes Our Specialty ~ Homemade Desserts Hwy 35/115 Northbound - Orono Licensed 905-983-5001 The Kendal Lions Club sponsored a public skate during March Break last week Thursday afternoon at the Orono Arena. Back L to R: Lions Jim Souch, Ray Christopher, Ron Robinson and Gary Woodbeck. Front: Sarah Souch, Suzanne Souch and Jack Robinson. transplant. "These initiatives are focused and we are confident they will make a real difference difference to the more than 1800. Ontarians who have been on the waiting list far too long," said Sue Wilson, Chair of TGLN's Board of Directors. "One organ and tissue donor » can save up to seven lives and enhance the'lives of iip to 75 ' others. It is imperative that, families view organ and tissue donation as an essential part of end-of-life care," she added. Today in Ontario, 1866 patiènts are on the transplant waiting list. Of those, 1148 are men, 718 are women and 49 of those patients are children. The plan announced today will be implemented over the next twelve months and will require the collaborative efforts . of TGLN,. hospital admihistratbr^ doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers and professional organizations alike. "Organ and tissue donation saves many lives in our province," said Dr. Greg Flynn, President of the Ontario Medical Association. "While we have seen recent improvements, we must continue continue to work to educate and inform Ontarians about what they can do to help save many more lives. Ontario's doctors will do' what 'we càiï to help ensure our patients have the information they need to make informed choices." When his daughter was born, Brad got a tattoo. It wasn't until his granddaughter was born that he discovered he also got hepatitis C. Illi III smith ni ju 111 ill ■ III mss I hilili in lull t limn inh i h il irllh lifjinl ih\ I /■(.„. n us 1 , i'ih ilininiu ni h si 11 )„r litiiuontii. im n mil mul ilnni n si V//i' ■-«/// m/mi/'/'w.n nmi) imt sin nr in Im' ili'tl is, i)i.<il ir ill i'l', il III nil 'I i)i I su I,. \ ml iiuii ,<i i, puss it "n In sunn u,. rt. ,.s, /. ih., Vi nsl, limn iliii'tni' iilnnil i/i Ilnni h si ii, I',, ni us. ih )t, linn is k, i) in rniih' ,111 in) Ih,- rims, I A11 '/■•' i i 111) I SHU IS I tnrir.lii'iillli.ii'ir.'in.rii /«•/«• llviiiililis V. Fiml mil if vm have il. (id lesh-d. - : va