SMH supports BeADonor Month in support of Trillium Gift of Life Network

April 4, 2024 · 0 Comments

Written By Brian Lockhart

Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) raised the BeADonor Month flag on April 1, in support of the Trillium Gift of Life Network’s (TGLN) campaign.

April is BeADonor Month and the campaign raises awareness regarding the need for tissue and organ donation and the importance of registering as a donor.

SMH became an official partner with the TGLN last year and as a community hospital, can facilitate tissue donation to eligible recipients from those who have registered as a donor.

“This is an initiative that is improving the quality of life of individuals in our community and we are pleased to be a partner with the Trillium Gift of Life Network,” said Julia Mullen, Vice President of Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at SMH. “We look forward to continuing this important program at SMH and enhancing the lives of others.”

In Ontario, 1,400 people, on average, are waiting for a life-saving organ, while thousands more are in need of a transformative tissue donation. One organ donation can save eight lives, and one tissue donation can help up to 75 people in need.

Carol Madsen, a local community member and Patient & Family Advisory Council member at SMH shared her family’s story. Her husband received a double lung transplant in Toronto.

“We were so thankful that my husband Soren was able to receive this life-saving donation,” said Ms. Madsen. “Our family, all 26 of us, are extremely grateful for the donation and we couldn’t be more happy that he is with us, happy and healthy. We will never forget about the impact the organ donation has made. We encourage others to register to become organ and tissue donors and help save a life.”

For more information and to register to become a donor, visit www.beadonor.ca.