A record number of Ontario residents have registered to be organ donors, but the Windsor area is below the provincial average, according to numbers released today by the Trillium Gift of Life Network.
The number registered to donate is 3.2 million -- or 27 per cent of the eligible population. That's up from 25 per cent last year and 16 per cent in 2008.
In Windsor, the donor registration rate is 24 per cent. The city is ranked 162nd out of 179 Ontario communities.
The Gift of Life Network says that over the last year, 271 deceased donors saved the lives of 960 people, while 278 living donors helped 213 kidney recipients and 65 liver recipients.
“Thanks to the support of our partners, Ontario continues to be a leader in donation and transplant in Canada, “ says Ronnie Gavsie president and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “Unfortunately, too many still wait too long. This knowledge fuels us to do more, achieve more and miss no opportunity.”
The Gift of Life Network says that over the last year, 271 deceased donors saved the lives of 960 people, while 278 living donors helped 213 kidney recipients and 65 liver recipients.
The organization also says 1953 tissue donors provided eyes, skin, heart valves or bone to benefit those in need.
With files from The Canadian Press.
