Giving the gift of life
Mayor John Henry and Oshawa MP Colin Carrie were joined by councillors, volunteers and residents for the raising of a flag for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month.
By Graeme McNaughton/The Oshawa Express
The number of people signing up to become organ donors is growing. However, for some, the growth still isn’t enough to save a life.
The city recently marked Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month by raising a flag at city hall, but according to one volunteer, much more needs to be done.
“We have increased the provincial average, which was 24 per cent. It’s now 29 per cent in the last three years. In Oshawa, we’re at 36 per cent, which tells me people are taking the time to register and more and more people,” Hilda Finnigan, a volunteer with Durham Region Organ Donor Awareness, tells The Oshawa Express.
“The waiting list, unfortunately, continues to increase. In 2013, our waiting list was at 1,528 with 545 donors. In 2016, to date, our waiting list is 1,679, and in 2015, we had 648 donors.
“Even though donors are increasing, so is the need for organs.”
According to the Trillium Gift of Life Network, the majority of those awaiting organs – 1,138 – are awaiting a kidney, followed by liver at 224.
Looking ahead, Finnigan says she wants to see that donor number continue to climb so that it can one day match the number of those in need.
“We still want more people to register and consent,” she says.
“We’re spending as much time as we can in the mall, doing displays. In the hospital too. There’s coordinators from Trillium Gift of Life in almost all of the hospitals in the area and they’re working with us to make sure we have current info to hand out to people.”
To register to become an organ donor through Durham Region Organ Donor Awareness’ official campaign, please visit beadonor.ca/campaign/awarenessdurhamregion.