Image of Trillium Gift of Life Network Hospital Achievement Award and message, "Thank you to all of the team at Unity Health Toronto who work tirelessly to make organ and tissue donation possible."

The Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) recognized Unity Health Toronto with an award for its commitment to implementing leading donation practices and integrating organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care.

“Receiving the Eligible Approach Rate Achievement Award from Trillium Gift of Life means that our teams at Unity Health Toronto are keeping the patient and their family at the centre of all that we do,” said Chrissy Lefkimmiatis, Patient Care Manager of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at St. Joseph’s.

“In the ICU, we often meet patients and their families at the worst time in their lives. When they are offered the option of pursuing donation, families regularly comment that they were given an opportunity to make a difference in a time where they felt otherwise helpless. Supporting patients and families through donation also helps the team digest the loss and start the process of mourning and healing.”

In 2020-21, Unity Health Toronto had 28 organ donors, which led to 95 transplants and 51 tissue donors.  The award recognizes hospitals for exceeding the target of 90 per cent eligible approach rate set by TGLN and for demonstrating leading practices by facilitating a donation discussion with eligible patients and families at end of life. Unity Health Toronto achieved 93 per cent eligible approach rate in 2020-21. 

“When we think of organ and tissue donation, what often comes to mind is the fact that one organ donor can save up to eight lives and tissue donation can enhance up to 75 lives as well. Currently more than 1,500 Ontarians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and facilitating donations at Unity Health Toronto can help change those people’s lives for the better,” said Liz Butorac, Clinical Leader Manager, Trauma Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (TNICU) and Wound Care Team at St. Michael’s.

Organ and tissue donation requires the dedication and compassionate work of the various staff and physicians at St. Michael’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Centre and all those who contribute to the transplant journey for patients, including the teams in our Emergency Departments, Surgery, Critical Care, Anesthesia, Nephrology/Urology, Transplant Clinic and Palliative Care.

“Recognition from TGLN highlights the excellent effort and ongoing commitment from our teams to the organ and tissue donation process,” Lefkimmiatis said. “Particularly during the pandemic, with the added pressure and occupancy, I’m proud of my team for honouring their patients’ and families’ wishes by connecting them with TGLN.”

Butorac echos Lefkimmiatis’ sentiment. “The award reminds us that we are contributing to saving lives. Thank you to Trillium Gift of Life for recognizing the efforts of teams across Unity Health Toronto.”

Dr. Andrew Baker, Chief of the Department of Critical Care and Medical Director of the Trauma and Neurosurgery at St. Michael’s, accepted the award for Unity Health Toronto during a virtual Trillium Gift of Life Network awards ceremony on November 10.

By: Jessica Cabral