November 7, 2019 ~ Grand River Hospital has been recognized by the Trillium Gift of Life Network for its exceptional work in championing organ and tissue donation within the high-quality, end-of-life care they provide.
Trillium Gift of Life Network, the provincial agency responsible for delivering and coordinating organ and tissue donations and transplants has awarded Grand River Hospital (GRH) the Provincial Conversion Rate award for exceeding the target rate of 63 per cent. The conversion rate represents the percentage of actual donors from the total number of potentially eligible donors.
In 2018/19 GRH achieved an 88 per cent conversion rate. Seven organ donors saved the lives of 25 recipients and 40 tissue donors enhanced the lives of many people through transplantation of corneas, skin, bone and heart valves.
“Our staff, physicians and leaders are very passionate about the work they do to support families who are considering these difficult decisions,” says Robinne Hauck, Grand River Hospital chief nursing executive. “Organ and tissue donations save lives. We feel very privileged to work with patients, families and partners like the Trillium Gift of Life Network to increase awareness and help the families we serve.”
GRH staff member Diana Brodrecht was also acknowledged by her peers with the Hidden Hero award for her commitment to supporting organ and tissue donations through her work in the medical imaging department and through her advocacy in the community. Diana has had a personal experience with organ donation and through her role at the hospital, ensures that donation coordinators have the information and diagnostics they need to save lives.
Trillium Gift of Life reports that every three days someone will die waiting for a life-saving transplant. More than 1,600 people in Ontario are waiting for an organ, while only one in three (34 per cent) of Ontarians have formally registered their consent to donate. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation.
Visit www.BeADonor.ca today to register or learn more.
For more information, please contact:
Aubrey Walters, Director, Integrated Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Office: (519) 749-4300 extension 2734, cell: (519) 577-0511
Meredith Sjogren, Trillium Gift of Life Network’s Achievement Awards
msjogren@giftoflife.on.ca or 416-619-2299.
Grand River Hospital (GRH) is one of Ontario’s largest community hospitals and provides innovative, quality care to more than 700,000 residents of Waterloo Region and Guelph Wellington.
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