Ottawa hospitals lead awards for life-saving organ donations

Five Ottawa hospitals are being recognized by Trillium Gift of Life Network for their life-saving organ donation work — the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Hôpital Montfort, Queensway Carleton Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Each hospital is being awarded the Hospital Achievement – Conversion Rate Award, given to hospitals that meet or exceed Trillium Gift of Life Network’s provincial target.

With The Ottawa Hospital and CHEO each getting an additional distinction, the tally for Ottawa hospitals rises to seven awards — the most of any city in Ontario. Toronto is receiving six.

In 2016–17, Trillium Gift of Life Network had its most successful year to date with a record-high number of organ donors and ocular tissue used for transplantation. In Ontario, there were a total of 1,256 life-saving organ transplants, a process that also provides solace for families of the donors.

“My wife often talked about organ donation and wanting to help those in need,” said Ottawa resident Peter Ringlet, whose wife Brenda Ringlet died last year. “After she passed away, hospital and Trillium staff worked with us to ensure that her wish was honoured. Knowing that a part of her would live on and that she helped others get a second chance at life, brought us great comfort during a difficult time. We will never forget that.”

The province-leading effort in Ottawa reflects just how well Trillium Gift of Life Network and the area’s hospitals work together to save lives.

“Ottawa is an outstanding example of how applying leading donation practices saves lives,” said Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “But we will not be complacent. These achievement awards reflect the culture of donation established in Ottawa and act as a reminder of the work still to be done in other communities across Ontario.”

Organ donors at Ottawa hospitals helped save the lives of 121 people over the last year. There were also nearly 200 tissue donors from Ottawa in 2016–17.

Ottawa’s Trillium Gift of Life Network Awards

CHEO –
Hospital Achievement Conversion Rate Award – 80 percent
Provincial Routine Notification Rate Award (the only one awarded this year)

Hôpital Montfort –
Hospital Achievement Conversion Rate Award – 100 percent

Queensway Carleton Hospital –
Hospital Achievement Conversion Rate Award – 100 percent

The Ottawa Hospital –
Hospital Achievement Conversion Rate Award – 84 percent
Award of Excellence (1 of 3 awarded this year)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute –
Hospital Achievement Conversion Rate Award – 100 percent

Note:
Conversion rate is determined by the number of potential donors who went on to become actual donors.

- 30 -

For further information please contact

CHEO
Paddy Moore, Media Relations
(613) 737-7600 ext. 3536
pmoore@cheo.on.ca

Hôpital Montfort
Geneviéve Picard, Director of Communications
(613) 746-4621 ext. 2049
communications@montfort.on.ca

Queensway Carleton Hospital
Ann Fuller, Director of Communications
(613) 721-2000 ext. 5612
afuller@qch.on.ca

The Ottawa Hospital
Michaela Schreiter, Communications Coordinator
(613) 737-8899 ext. 77299
mschreiter@toh.ca

University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Judith Lachance, Communications Officer
(613) 696-7000 ext. 17793
jlachance@ottawaheart.ca

About CHEO

Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.