Living Donors Online Message Board
Living Donation Discussion and News => Living Donation in the News => Topic started by: Clark on December 21, 2012, 03:10:41 PM
-
http://www.emcalmontecarletonplace.ca/20121129/news/Baby+boomers+least+likely+to+donate+organs
Baby boomers least likely to donate organs
Almost two-thirds of the 1,529 patients waiting for an organ transplant in Ontario are 50 years of age or older. Though older Ontarians are most likely to need a lifesaving organ transplant, only 39 per cent of the 2.5 million registered organ and tissue donors are 50 or older.
Despite common misconceptions, you are never too old to be a donor. In Ontario in 2011-12, almost half of the 222 people who gave the gift of life through organ donation after death were 50 or older, and 11 per cent were 70-plus years old.
Registering as a donor can help prevent unnecessary deaths of Ontarians on the transplant waiting list. Families approached to consider organ and tissue donation almost always consent when they are given evidence of their loved one's registration, while those who decline usually state it is because they are not sure what their loved one would have wanted.
"All Ontarians regardless of their age have the potential to save and enhance lives," said Trillium Gift of Life Network president and CEO Ronnie Gavsie in a press release. "It only takes two minutes to register consent to organ and tissue donation at www.BeADonor.ca."
Similar to donor registration rates, consent rates for organ donation also decreased with age, resulting in a loss of potential donors. In 2011-12 the average consent rate for potential organ donors who were 50 or older was 52 per cent, compared to 68 per cent for those younger than 50. One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through the gift of tissue. Visit www.BeADonor.ca to register or to check your registration status. It is important to note that a signed donor card does not mean you are registered.
New information available today on the Gift of 8 Movement at www.BeADonor.ca shows that so far this fiscal year, 128,000 people have registered consent to organ and tissue donation.