FRANCAIS

November 30, 2004

New procedures that will make it easier to share the gift of life through tissue and organ donation will be put in place following the proclamation of the Human Tissue Gift Act tomorrow.

Health Minister Tim Sale announced the proclamation of the act at a reception held at the Manitoba Legislative Building today.

"These new amendments will provide the opportunity for families to receive the most current information on tissue donation and make their wishes about organ and tissue donation known," said Sale. "Tissue and organ donation can make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of Manitobans every year."

The amendments include changes to:

• require the tissue, eye bank and/or organ transplant agencies to be notified of a death or an impending death so trained staff can assess the suitability of tissues, eyes or organs for donation and, when appropriate, agencies will attempt to obtain informed consent for the donation; and

• enable the disclosure of personal health information of potential donors to the organ, tissue and eye bank agencies for suitability assessment.

"The gift of human tissue is the ultimate humanitarian gesture a family can make," said Patti Sullivan, board chair, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. "The recipients are eternally grateful to donor families for recognizing the needs of others during their time of grief."

Sullivan noted a single donor can help up to as many as 30 recipients lead more productive and pain-free lives.

"These positive changes will facilitate the donation of needed tissues and organs that will help restore the health and save the lives of so many people," said Sale. "I encourage Manitobans to think about tissue and organ donation, and to make sure they make their wishes known to their loved ones."

The amendments were developed in consultation with representatives of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Organ Donation Program, the WRHA Tissue Bank Program and the Lions Eye Bank.

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