The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is very open with their discussions on organ and tissue donation.

So much so they’ve received an award.

It has been bestowed the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award, after it hit 97 percent this year in having discussions on donations with eligible patients and their families.

The award comes through the Trillium Gift of Life Network.

CEO Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott says the team at the facility approaches the conversation of organ and tissue donation with care and compassion, and this award underscores that dedication and commitment.

“These are difficult discussions, and we want every patient and family to have the information they need and the opportunity to make a life-saving choice.”

Northern Ontario communities are among the leaders in the province in the number of registrants per capita. Thunder Bay has 53 percent of its eligible population registered as organ donors, ranking the city in 38th provincially out of 170 communities.

Between 2022 and 2023 four donors were supported by Thunder Bay Regional, which led to 14 organs being donated for transplant saving 13 lives.