TORONTO, April 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, over 1,500 people in Ontario are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone dies waiting. April is BeADonor Month and Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario's organ and tissue donation and transplant agency, is encouraging Ontarians to show their support by registering as organ and tissue donors.

"In the last ten years the provinces' registration rate has doubled, so we know that Ontario is moving in the right direction," says Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO. "But until our registration rate matches the support we know exists for donation, there is more to be done. This April I'm asking you to register at www.BeADonor.ca. It takes less than two minutes, and one day this act could save lives."

While the majority of Canadians support donation, only 32 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.

Some people believe that their age or medical condition prevents them from being a donor. In actuality, age does not preclude someone from becoming a donor, and each potential donor is assessed at the time of death for medical suitability.

Others may not have registered under the misguided assumptions of religious restrictions, but the fact is, all major religions (including Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism) support organ and tissue donation, and even encourage it, as it can save a life.

This BeADonor Month, let's be a donor nation and pass it on. Visit www.BeADonor.ca to register or find out more.

Trillium Gift of Life Network representatives are available for interviews to discuss:

• The number of people waiting for a transplant in your community
• The donor registration rate in your community
• The successes of the donation and transplant system in Ontario
• How to get involved and show your support for those waiting

Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation for transplantation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved.