Toronto lags behind province in organ donor registration

By The Canadian Press

A Crown agency says 30 per cent of Ontarians have registered to donate their organs — a milestone for the province — but Toronto’s rate remains low.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network says eight communities in Ontario have 50 per cent of residents registered as donors, all in central and northern Ontario.

And in the 2015-16 fiscal year, more than 340,000 Ontarians registered as donors, which the agency says is the highest number ever recorded in one year.

But out of 170 communities in Ontario, Toronto ranks 164th with a registration rate of 21 per cent.

The agency adds that as many of 45 per cent of people in Ontario believe they are registered to be donors because they have a paper donor card.

In fact, it says, those donor cards are no longer used. To formally register, Ontarians should go to the website BeADonor.ca.

“Organ and tissue donation is incredibly important — one donor can save up to eight lives and help 75 more through tissue donation,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

“Many Ontarians have generously signed a donor card in the past, but it is important that they formally register … and talk to their family about their wishes.

With files from News Staff

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today