The Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation agency, recognized Marc-André Périard, paramedic and Deputy Chief of the Prescott and Russell Emergency Services, for his outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care, and leading culture change within his organization.
The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) is one of 29 partners to be awarded a TGLN Award in 2017 and 2018. Deputy Chief Périard, who has worked as a paramedic for 28 years, received the TGLN’s Tissue Champion Award.
“On behalf of the UCPR Council, we are very proud of Mr. Périard and our entire team of paramedics, for whom this award is a particularly special recognition,” explained François St-Amour, UCPR Warden. “We have an exceptional Emergency Services department and our partnership with the Trillium Gift of Life Network represents yet another example of the excellent service that we offer to our residents.”
“We are proud to acknowledge the important contributions of our partners because the success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on their hard work and dedication,” stated Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO of the TGLN. “This award reflects the continued commitment of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell to implement donation best practices and offer families the opportunity to make a lifesaving choice.”
Today, more than 1,500 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. While the majority of Canadians support donation, only 33 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.
A person’s age or medical condition does not preclude someone from becoming a donor, and each potential donor is assessed at the time of death for medical suitability. Donation is only considered after all life-saving efforts are exhausted, there is no chance of recovery, and the family accepts the diagnosis of death. To register or learn more, visit www.beadonor.ca.
