Bluewater Health's commitment to organ and tissue donation is once again being recognized on the provincial stage.
The Sarnia-Lambton hospital network has received Ontario Health's (Trillium Gift of Life Network) Provincial Conversion Rate Award for a third straight year. The award is given to hospitals for meeting or exceeding the target of a 63 per cent conversion rate set by TGLN, reaching 100 percent.
Bluewater Health was also presented with the Eligible Approach Rate Award for hospitals that meet or exceed the target of a 90 percent eligible approach rate set by TGLN.
TGLN VP of Clinical Donation Services Janet MacLean said it is clear that Bluewater Health is an organization that supports organ and tissue donation.
"Last year, the hospital had two organ donors which led to five organ transplants and 23 tissue donors, enhancing the lives of many others," said MacLean. "These awards are evidence of the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in donation at your hospital."
Bluewater Health Critical Care Physician Dr. Glenna Cuccarolo accepted the awards on behalf of the hospital during a virtual ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
Cuccarolo discussed one of Bluewater Health's successful organ recipients, Darryl Wallis, who was just one-years old when he was diagnosed with a serious and chronic disease.
"He was unable to eat any solid foods and could only receive intravenous nutrition for 20 years," said Cuccarolo. "Thanks to one gracious organ donor, Darryl received a multivisceral organ transplant that consisted of a new liver, small intestines, stomach and pancreas."
Cuccarolo said 15 years later, Darryl has accomplished things he never thought possible for him.
"He can now eat regularly, and he was able to finish his university degree and is now a practicing pharmacist in our local community. None of this would have been possible without the gift of life that Darryl received."
Cuccarolo said it's stories such as Darryl's which is why Bluewater Health is so passionate about organ donation.
In a media release, Bluewater Health said more than 1,500 people are currently on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die waiting. Over 90 per cent of Ontarians support donation, but only 35 per cent have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 75 more through the gift of tissue.
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