#BeADonor Month 2022

By Chiara Marcello

April is #BeADonor Month to raise awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donations. Organ and tissue donations are essential, and as a donor, you have the ability to save someone’s life. Roland Cruz, the Trillium Gift of Life Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator at Humber River Health, has provided insight into the need for organ and tissue donations in our communities and how each of us can do our part.

What are the most commonly donated organs?
The most commonly donated, or transplanted, organs in Ontario are kidneys, with liver and lungs as second and third, respectively. During 2021-22, around 600 kidneys, 300 livers, and 150 lungs were donated and transplanted.

What is tissue donation used for & why is it important?
Tissue donation improves the lives of individuals. The impact of tissue donation can be seen through:
• The gift of sight through eye donation
• The gift of restored mobility through the donation of bone and connective tissue
• The gift of skin allowing for individuals suffering from burns and other skin illnesses to heal
• The gift of heart valves that provide children with congenital heart conditions a chance at a normal, healthy childhood

Are there safety concerns in relation to organ & tissue donation?
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation is safe. Eligibility to donate organs and tissues is assessed at the time of death from information obtained during a medical social questionnaire completed with families. In addition, every organ is tested for suitability to ensure that as many people as possible can be helped through transplant.
Transplantation of organs and tissues is a surgical procedure that places a healthy organ or tissue from a donor to a person in need. As with all surgeries, risk is mitigated through careful planning and extensive training and education.

How can you become an organ & tissue donor?
Anyone 16 years and older can be an organ and tissue donor by registering at BeADonor.ca or through your local Service Ontario upon renewal of your personal documents. You can also be an organ and tissue donor by ensuring that your loved ones are aware of these wishes, so that they can share this information with your healthcare providers.

What is a living donor?
Living donation occurs when a living individual donates part of, or a full organ for transplant to another person in need. Living donation has the potential to reduce wait times to months, rather than years for deceased donation. Typically, the organ donated by a living donor is healthier at the time of the operation. This often leads to a better-functioning organ and longer graft survival. From the donor’s perspective, there is often a sense of pride in saving or improving the life of another.

What do you suggest to people who are on the fence about becoming a donor?
There is a plethora of reasons as to why people believe they cannot be an organ and tissue donor- becoming one is a personal choice. Speak with your healthcare professional or TGLN staff to see if becoming an organ and tissue donor is for you. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 individuals through tissue donation. With that said, every day, there are about 1400 individuals in Ontario waiting for a life-saving organ, in addition to many more throughout Canada and in the United States. With one registry or donation wish shared with your family, you can save lives.

What is the Trillium Gift of Life Network?
Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) is a branch of Ontario Health that is responsible for the delivery and coordination of organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Ontario. TGLN is also fortunate to be a part of the team that addresses the needs of individuals and families awaiting a life-saving transplant. This work is done not only through our direct partnerships with donor families and patients, but also through advocacy, education, support, and relationship building with all members of the healthcare community, allied professionals, and donation and transplantation advocates.

Anything to add?
Humber River Health and TGLN will continue to grow and support individuals and families in need of life-saving and enhancing organs and tissues in the years to come. Since fiscal year 2019 to present, HRH has had seven organ donors saving 22 lives, as well as 52 tissue donors that have improved the lives of many.

Humber River Health receiving an award from the Trillium Gift of Life Network in 2021.