You may be aware, through the recent media focus on the critical shortage of organs available for transplant that many patients are losing their struggle to survive because organs cannot be found to save their lives. Today, there are more than 1500 people in Ontario waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and every three days, one person dies waiting .

Most Ontarians will say they believe in the importance of organ and tissue donation, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate into action . Fewer than 25% of eligible Ontarians have registered their consent to be organ and tissue donors. It is equally important for Ontarians to discuss their decision with family members.

It has never been easier to register your consent to be an organ and tissue donor. Visit www.beadonor.ca to register consent or check to make sure you are indeed registered. It only takes two minutes and you may one day help save lives. One organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 others.

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW) is from April 22-28 ^th , 2012.  In Ontario, this will be the first NOTDAW celebrated since the launch of online donor registration in June 2011. I hope during this very special week you take a moment to register your consent and to talk to your family about your wishes. Let’s work together with the Canadian Transplant Association to increase the number of registered donors in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex!

Sincerely,

Bev Shipley