Riverside Proudly Supports Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week
April 17, 2025
Riverside
is proud to support National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, taking
place from April 20 to 26, 2025, by leading a series of events and initiatives
across the district aimed at raising awareness and encouraging donor
registration.
As
part of our commitment to advancing care and improving health in our
communities, Riverside is launching a week of engagement and advocacy that
highlights the life-changing and often life-saving impact of organ and tissue
donation. This campaign reflects our mission to provide compassionate,
high-quality care and support to all those we serve.
Organ
and tissue donation is one of the most profound gifts a person can offer. With
more than 4,400 Canadians currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants
and thousands more in need of tissue donations, the need has never been
greater. Yet despite strong public support, only a fraction of Ontarians are
formally registered donors.
“Saving
and enhancing the life of another individual is a privilege, and it is one that
is possible through the gift of organ and tissue donation,” says Diana Harris,
Chief Nursing Executive at Riverside Health Care. “Families who honor a loved
one’s registered wishes are not only saving someone—they are reminding us of
the best of humanity. A single decision can mean years of life, love, and
memories for someone else. That’s why this campaign is so important to all of
us at Riverside.”
A Public
Lunch & Learn Webinar will be held on Thursday April 24, 2024 to share
lived experiences from local residents impacted by organ and tissue donation.
This virtual session will provide valuable insight into the donation process,
what families can expect, and how one person’s decision can profoundly impact
the lives of others. The online session will be open to our staff and the
general public, with more details available soon on Riverside’s website and
social media channels.
Riverside
will also host on-site informational booths at three of our facilities,
providing resources and support to those interested in becoming organ and
tissue donors. These booths will offer materials, staff to answer questions,
and an opportunity to register on the spot. The booth schedule is as follows:
- At Rainy River Health Centre, the booth will
be available on Wednesday, April 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. near the
Main Entrance (off to the side).
- At Emo Health Centre, the booth will be
located in the Basement Clinic Entrance on Wednesday, April 23, from 1:00
p.m. to 3:00 p.m..
- At La Verendrye General Hospital (Fort
Frances), the booth will be open on Friday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to
2:00 p.m. at the Main Basement Entrance.
These
events reflect our belief that education and awareness are essential steps to
increase the number of registered donors in our region and saving more lives. Riverside
has set a meaningful goal to register 100 new donors during Organ and Tissue
Donation Awareness Week. Every registration brings us closer to saving more
lives and providing renewed hope to families across Ontario.
We
invite all community members to participate in our events and take action.
Becoming a registered donor is simple, impactful, and could one day save a
life. Sign up today by visiting: https://beadonor.ca/campaign/riverside-healthcare-facilities
For
more information on the campaign and how to get involved, please visit www.riversidehealthcare.ca
Diana Harris
Chief Nursing Executive
Riverside Health Care Facilities