Measuring the Impact of Organ Donation Locally
SARNIA & PETROLIA – February 1, 2023 – Bluewater Health has been recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network - TGLN) for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care in 2021/22. Bluewater Health was presented with the Provincial Conversion Rate Award for reaching a conversion rate of 100 percent, which exceeds the target of 63 percent set by TGLN. This is Bluewater Health’s fourth year receiving this award.
Today, more than 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 for organ and tissue donation.
Local resident and mother, Kristin Luckins, experienced the miracle of organ donation last July when her two year-old daughter, Ella Crossett, tragically lost her life in a pool accident. When told by doctors that their daughter wasn’t going to make it, the parents were then faced with the question of donating their daughter’s organs. “We decided to donate Ella’s organs,” says Kristin Luckins. “Knowing that our decision could prevent other families from having to say goodbye to their child – and giving them another chance at life – helped me heal.”
Bluewater Health has also been presented with the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award for exceeding the provincial eligible approach rate target of 90 percent set by TGLN, achieving 100 percent in 2021/2022. The Eligible Approach Rate Award recognizes hospitals for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion between TGLN and eligible patients/families of patients at end of life. This is Bluewater Health’s second year receiving this award.
“These awards reflect Bluewater Health’s commitment to implement leading donation practices and integrate donation as part of quality end-of-life care,” says Dr. Glenna Cuccarolo, Intensivist and Medical Director of Intensive Care, and Hospital Donation Physician for Bluewater Health through Ontario Health’s TGLN. “I would like to recognize and thank those dedicated family members, like Kristin and her family, who while experiencing great loss themselves, were able to offer the gift of life.”
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.
“The success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on the hard work and dedication of our health care partners. Bluewater Health 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.”
ABOUT BLUEWATER HEALTH
Bluewater Health, with locations in Sarnia and Petrolia, cares for the approximately 131,000 residents of Sarnia-Lambton. With close to 2500 staff, Professional Staff and volunteers, Bluewater Health provides an array of specialized acute, complex continuing care, allied health and ambulatory care services. For more information about Bluewater Health, visit bluewaterhealth.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.