Green Shirt Day to be recognized at NHH April 8th, 2019, in support of organ and tissue donation awareness
Immediately following the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus accident in Saskatchewan last April, an increase in organ donor registration was recognized as news spread that Bronco Logan Boulet had donated six organs.
Championed by Logan’s family, Green Shirt Day will now be held on April 7th each year, the anniversary of Logan’s death, in an effort to honour his legacy, and maintain the momentum his generous gift helped to launch.
Here in Ontario, Trillium Gift of Life Network is encouraging businesses, hospitals and students across the province to wear green on Monday, April 8th (given the 7th is a Sunday in 2019) in support of organ and tissue donation.
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is pleased to join with local organizations and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini to support the annual BeADonor Month campaign. Please join us in wearing your green on Monday, April 8th to honour Logan Boulet and show your support for organ and tissue donor registration.
“Today in Ontario, there are over 1,600 women, men and children waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and sadly every three days, someone dies because there are not enough organs to meet the need,” said MPP David Piccini in a recent news release promoting BeADonor month. “In the riding of Northumberland Peterborough-South there are 39 people currently on the waitlist.”
By registering to become a donor, we could save or change someone’s life. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance as many as 75 more through the gift of tissue. Age is not necessarily a barrier, and even individuals with serious illnesses can, sometimes, be an organ and/or tissue donors. Each potential donor is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
“Last BeADonor Month, as a result of the Logan Boulet Effect, Ontario experienced a 40 per cent increase in donor registrations over April 2017,” said Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “This year we do not want a tragedy. Rather, we want to maintain this momentum, and give hope to those on the waitlist. There is no better time to register than during BeADonor Month. Visit www.BeADonor.ca to register or learn more.”
Register your consent for organ and tissue donation and talk to your family about your wishes.
You need to register your consent to donate at BeADonor.ca, even if you signed a donor card, to ensure the information is recorded with the Ontario government.
When needed, Trillium Gift of Life Network will use this record to confirm your consent. They will also reaffirm your consent with your family. In almost all cases, families honour and respect their loved ones’ donation decision if they have evidence that it’s what they wanted.
Registering as a donor is the only secure and guaranteed way to make your decision known.
What you need to register
To register as an organ and tissue donor, you need:
- to be at least 16 years old
- to provide your date of birth
- your health card number and version code (if applicable)
How to register
Register, check or update your consent online at BeADonor.ca. NOTE: To assist in increasing registration rates across Northumberland Peterborough-South, MPP Piccini has issued a challenge to local mayors, chiefs and residents and created a dedicated local registration page at https://beadonor.ca/campaign/mppdavidpiccini
You may also register:
- in person at any ServiceOntario centre
- by completing a Gift of Life consent form and sending it to:
ServiceOntario
Organ Donor Consent
PO Box 48
Kingston ON K7L 5J3
After you register
You will receive a confirmation letter if you:
- complete a new registration
- update your registration information
- withdraw your consent
Want more information on organ and/or tissue donation?
Please visit BeADonor.ca or call Trillium Gift of Life Network at 1-800-263-2833 (Canada).