Hospital recognizes organ donor month

In a Thursday, April 14, 2016 photo provided by Cornwall Community Hospital, members of CCH get ready to raise the organ and tissue donation recognition flag at the McConnell health care facility. Pictured are Sr. Director of Operating Rooms and ER Ginette Ferguson, CEO Jeanette Despatie, Security staff member Barry Trudell, Critical Care Manager Michael Kroon, Nicole Hogan, Julie Bernier and Ryan Laming. (CCH via Newswatch Group)

CORNWALL – Cornwall’s hospital has averaged ten organ and tissue donors in the last three years, saving countless lives.

Those stats were shared today as the hospital recognizes April as organ and tissue donor awareness month.

Cornwall is slightly above the provincial donor participation rate of 29 per cent and the number of local people on the list has doubled in the last three years.

CCH has been part of the Trillium Gift of Life Network since 2013 and is part of a province-wide notification program.

In Cornwall, there are five people on a waiting list for a life saving organ, the hospital said.

“As difficult as the personal situation is, it can, at the same time be extremely rewarding,” said Mike Kroon, the hospital’s clinical lead for tissue and organ donation.

It’s said a single donation can save up to eight lives.