MPP JOURNAL for the week of July 23, 2021

The Government of Ontario is committed to saving and improving lives. One such way is through organ and tissue donation. Approximately 600 people receive organ transplants in Ontario each year, but often face long waits before a suitable donor can be found. More than 1,600 people are currently on a waiting list to become a recipient of donor organs and tissue. Our government is streamlining and improving the organ and tissue donation system, so that the needs of those waiting for transplants as well as potential donors and their families may be better met.

Don Cherry, co-host of Hockey Night in Canada, was commissioned to be chair of the Premier's Advisory Board on Organ and Tissue Donation in early 2000. By July the government had accepted the board's final report.

Since then, several new initiatives have been put into place to help increase the number of transplants in Ontario. The Trillium Gift of Life Network plans, promotes, co-ordinates and supports organ and tissue donation across the province. The network is also used to co-ordinate and support the work of designated facilities working in the area of organ and tissue donation.

Knowledge and education are important in organ and tissue donation. The Trillium Gift of Life Network makes an effort to ensure that patients and their family members have the information they need to consider consenting to organ and tissue donation. The network will also be an advisor to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on organ and tissue donation.

The topic of organ donation has been added to the Grade 11 and 12 Health and Physical Education and Science curricula. This means that students will have the opportunity to learn more about transplants and to consider helping others by becoming organ donors.

Ontario has seven hospitals that provide organ transplants. Across the province, more than 400 organ donors made it possible for doctors to perform over 700 transplants in 2000. Since 1995, the Government of Ontario has invested more than $6 million to support organ transplants. For the 2000/2001 fiscal year, our government allocated $2.1 million for organ and tissue donation initiatives to develop an action plan to help educate potential donors, family members, health care professionals and the general public.

Many people who are waiting kidney transplants are dependent on dialysis machines. The Harris government has added 29 new dialysis units across the province. This program is not only improving access to this vital service, but also providing more people with services closer to home.
When you decide that you will donate your organs, please let your family know your wishes. You can register your consent to donate by filling in a form and mailing it to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Upon registering, you will receive a sticker to place on your health card, which denotes your intent to donate. If you have a photo health card, this symbol will appear on your card.

If you are 16 years of age or older, please consider becoming an organ or tissue donor. If you would like to receive more information on how to become a donor, please visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Website to print off a donor form.

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