Organ and tissue transplant successes earn Lakeridge Health Oshawa prestigious awards

Durham Region’s healthcare provider Lakeridge Health has received a pair of prestigious awards from the Trillium Gift of Life Network, which organizes all transplants in Ontario.

In total Lakeridge worked with 13 organ donors who died in hospital to transplant 42 organs into 38 patients. In addition to organs, 96 people donated tissue to improve the lives of countless fellow patients.

Ontario-wide, last year saw hospitals across Ontario support 380 deceased donors and provide life-saving organ transplants to 1,075 people. Many more lives were enhanced through the gift of tissue from 1,900 donors.

At any given time, the Trillium Gift of Life Network says, roughly 1,400 are on a waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant. Several thousand others are also waiting for life-changing tissue transplants, such as bones, corneas, skin and nerves.

As a result of this work, Lakeridge is among 31 hospitals to receive the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate award. This award recognizes hospitals for “demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion with eligible patients or families of patients at the end of life.”

It’s the fourth time Lakeridge has earned the commendation. For Lakeridge, the award doesn’t only recognize any one of their five locations, but the work across all five Durham Region hospitals.

The hospital network was also one of only seven recipeients of the Award for Excellence this year “for meeting or exceeding the provincial target for conversion rate or routine notification rate for four or more consecutive years, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to the implementation of donation leading practices.”

“The success of organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Ontario hinges on the unwavering efforts of hospital partners who work tirelessly to ensure that Ontarians have the opportunity to help others through the gift of life,” Trillium wrote, “The Hospital Achievement Awards recognize this crucial work and the profound impact it can have on those in need of an organ or tissue donation.”

Lakeridge shares the award this year with:

• Guelph General Hospital
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre
• Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
• Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie
• University of Ottawa Heart Institute
• Windsor Regional Hospital

On the awards Lakeridge Health Chief of Staff Dr. Randy Wax said, “I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible teams at Lakeridge Health and how they offer compassionate support to families during such emotional and challenging times. Their work not only saves lives but also offers hope to those who need it most. As the demand for organ and tissue donation continues to grow, we remain deeply committed to raising awareness and helping more people understand the life-changing power of donation.”