Cornwall Community Hospital Awarded for Championing Organ and Tissue Donation

APRIL 4, 2023 – Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) has been recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network [TGLN]) for its outstanding contributions to organ and tissue donation in Ontario in 2021/22.

CCH was presented with the Provincial Conversation Rate Award for reaching a conversion rate of 100 percent, which exceeds the target of 63 percent set by Ontario Health (TGLN). The conversion rate is the percentage of potential organ donors (patients who pass away in a hospital setting and are deemed medically suitable for donation) who went on to become actual donors.

CCH has also received the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award for exceeding the provincial eligible approach rate target of 90 percent set by Ontario Health (TGLN), achieving 100 percent in 2021/2022. This award recognizes hospitals for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion with eligible patients/families of patients at end of life.

“Organ and tissue donation is an act of great kindness that can save and improve the lives of many people. CCH is a committed partner with Ontario Health (TGLN) to advance organ and tissue donation and we make every effort possible to facilitate discussions with families and potential donation candidates,” says Jeanette Despatie, CCH President and Chief Executive Officer. “We sincerely thank all organ and tissue donors and their families who supported the decision to donate at a most difficult time.”

“The success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on the hard work and dedication of our health care partners. CCH has made an outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation and this award is a reflection of their commitment to implementing leading donation practices, integrating donation as part of quality end-of-life care, and continuously working to save lives through organ and tissue donation,” says Rebecca Cooper, Vice President, Ontario Renal Network and Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario Health. “Every Ontarian has the opportunity to demonstrate their support for this life-saving work by registering their consent to organ and tissue donation at BeADonor.ca.”

April is BeADonor Month in Ontario. Today, almost 1,400 people are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die waiting. Over 90 per cent of Ontarians support donation, yet only 35 per cent have formally registered their consent.

One donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue. By registering consent to donate, you make your family aware of your decision to save lives.

Cornwall exceeds the province with a registration rate of 42 per cent, ranking 128 out of 170 communities in Ontario.