ON THE BENEFITS OF ORGAN DONATION

MPP Anand’s fifteenth Members’ Statement was on the topic of “The Benefits of Organ Donation”, delivered on 3 April 2019.

See full transcript below:

“University Health Network Toronto is one of the top five organ transplant hospitals in the world. Some 85% of Ontarians are in favour of organ donation, yet 1,600 Ontarians are waiting for a life-saving organ. Every three days, someone in Ontario dies waiting for a transplant.

One organ donation can save eight lives and, through tissue donation, can enhance the lives of 75 individuals.

Hockey legend Don Cherry’s son Tim was saved by an organ transplant. Under the leadership of Premier Mike Harris, in 1999, Don Cherry became the head of a new advisory board on organ donations.

By registering to become a donor, we have the power to save or change someone’s life

In my riding of Mississauga–Malton, there are 27 people waiting for their transplant.

I’d like to acknowledge Amar Karma, an organ and tissue donor advocacy group from my riding, along with Trillium Gift of Life Network. They have been working tirelessly to increase registration and awareness for this cause. Thank you so much for doing this.

Every April, Ontarians celebrate Be a Donor Month, a time at which all Ontarians are encouraged to show their support.

Mr. Speaker, Mississauga is ranked fifth in registration, but still, there are over 500,000 health card holders who have not registered.

I encourage everyone to please register yourself through www.beadonor.ca.

I hope and I wish that we have plenty of donors so that no one—and I repeat, no one—has to die waiting for an organ transplant.

MPP Deepak Anand discusses the benefits of Organ Donation for Mississauga and Ontario.”