Not yet registered to be an organ donor? There's still time

The University of Toronto’s Gift of Life campaign has exceeded its goal of 4,000 participants – making it the largest institutional organ donor registration campaign in Ontario’s history.

The University launched the campaign with the Trillium Gift of Life Network to increase rates of registered organ and tissue donors in the Greater Toronto Area. Only 15 per cent of Torontonians are registered organ and tissue donors, compared to 24 per cent across Ontario.

The drive to register faculty, staff and students began January 13 and wraps up January 24 but registration can take place after the campaign ends at http://www.beadonor.ca/uoft. 

“We are very happy with the response from the University community,” said Kim Blakely, a second-year medical student and president of the U of T Medical Society, who has helped coordinate registration efforts. “This campaign is helping to dispel misconceptions about organ donation and inform people about the importance of registering online. It has been truly amazing to see students and dedicated volunteers across our U of T campuses coming together as a community to support this important cause.”

Members of the Medical Society, the Interprofessional Healthcare Students’ Association and other University student groups have been running donor registration booths on the three campuses every day of the campaign, alongside Trillium volunteers. People can stop by the booths to get information about organ donation, ask questions and register their consent to donate or check their registration status.

Student campaign organizers have worked with staff and faculty to reach all University students by email, and have also made a strong push through social media. Several hundred people have joined or are following the campaign’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, and the campaign’s “Dear Donor” video has received over 4,000 views.

The video features U of T students and other young people who have received or are waiting for an organ or tissue donation, and family members of those who have donated their organs or passed away while waiting for a transplant. View the video here:

First-year medical student Vanessa Zannella helped create the video.

“It was incredibly inspiring to meet transplant recipients and their families,” said Zannella. “But at the same time, it was very hard to hear the stories of those stuck on a wait list. I hope our video has helped spread the word that young people often require life-saving organ transplants, and that people of all ages can and should register to be organ donors.”

In Ontario today, there are more than 1,400 people waiting for an organ transplant.

Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO of the Trillium Gift of Life Network, welcomed the effort of the U of T community. “The enthusiasm and support shown for organ and tissue donation is incredible,” said Gavsie. “U of T’s campaign is reaching new audiences, raising awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation, and encouraging more people to register their consent to donation — in doing so, it is saving lives.”

The campaign ends on January 24, but you can register or check your organ and tissue donor status at any time at www.beadonor.ca/uoft.