PS-Muskoka organ donors among tops in Ontario

QUEEN’S PARK — Parry Sound-Muskoka residents are among the top organ donors in Ontario.

That’s according to MPP Norm Miller who lauded his constituents.

He made the following statement congratulating Parry Sound and other towns in the riding for their high organ donor registration rates and thanking Sandra Holdsworth for her efforts to raise awareness of organ donation:

“April is Be a Donor month in Ontario. I want to recognize the communities in my riding which are always high on the list of organ donation registration rates, and one individual who has tirelessly advocated for organ donation in her community.

“Again this year, Parry Sound has the highest percentage of registered organ donors in Ontario, at 55%. Close by, 52% of Bracebridge residents are registered organ donors, 49% in Huntsville and 47% in Gravenhurst. The average across Ontario is 32%. That is getting better; it’s up from 27% in 2015.

“The high numbers in my riding are in part due to the efforts of Sandra Holdsworth. Sandra (who works for Hospice Muskoka) received a liver transplant in 1997 and has spent some 21 years since promoting organ donation. Sandra founded the Muskoka and Simcoe County Gift of Life association, and has served on the provincial and national organizations. In recognition of her work, Sandra is one of nine people who have received the Trillium Gift of Life Network Champion award. I agree, she is a champion.

“I saw Sandra on Friday at the Bracebridge vigil for Humboldt. Twenty-one-year-old Logan Boulet, one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy, was an organ donor. Six people received his organs, and as a result of the media coverage, more Canadians have registered to be organ donors.

“But it shouldn’t take a tragedy like that to inspire people to register.

“Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Ontarians to help end the wait. Register at beadonor.ca.”