This digest is an opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge our collective efforts to improve the OTDT system for the benefit of all Canadians. Please share with your colleagues and invite them to subscribe. You may unsubscribe at anytime. Send contributions, comments and suggestions to otdt@blood.ca
Canadian Blood Services 2021-2022 Annual Report
“The simple truth of OTDT is that demand for organs and tissues far exceeds supply, so we have a big job to do in helping make transplants happen for all who need them. We can play a pivotal role by bringing together various components of the system in a coordinated way to help improve outcomes for patients and donors, and to raise overall donation rates.” - Catherine Butler, Director, Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation.
Each year, Canadian Blood Services publishes an annual report to track progress toward the key focus areas laid out in the strategic plan. This year, leaning into how we connect has played a pivotal role in the organization's ability to reach goals and face challenges.
2022 Tax Forms in Ontario and Nunavut to Offer Access to Organ Donor Information
The federal government announced this month that two jurisdictions will be participating in the initiative by the Canada Revenue Agency. Amended tax returns will have an added tick box to allow people to acknowledge that they want to receive information via email from their respective governments. The CRA will then share the individual's contact information with their province or territory of residence for the purpose of receiving information about organ and tissue donation.
"We are committed to collaborating with provinces and territories to implement this initiative, as early as possible, for all provinces and territories that want to opt in" - Ministry of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier
Give 3 in 2023 campaign highlights living donors like Meghan...
Meghan intended to donate her own kidney to her friend Steph, but after being told she wouldn’t be a match, she wasn’t discouraged.
“Even though it isn’t my kidney, she still needs a kidney.”
A month after Steph ended up receiving a kidney transplant, Meghan ended up giving her own kidney to another intended recipient. She says that she’s just “happy that people can live life on their own terms”.
Learn more about educational resources for those considering living kidney donation at blood.ca/organs-tissues
New! My Transplant Coach Canada and My Paired Donation Coach Canada video modules now available with subtitles in more languages
Our friendly and knowledgeable transplant coach, Tracy, has been translated into a variety of languages to better support even more people interested in learning about living kidney transplant. Subtitles in Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, Spanish, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese, French and English are available for both My Transplant Coach and My Paired Donation Coach Canada.
World Transplant Games Federation Unveils the Gift of Life Baton: a Symbol to Inspire and Unite
Designed and produced by a leading industrial design company in Australia, the Gift of Life Baton is a gift from Transplant Australia and the Australian Government to the transplant community to act as a universal beacon between each World Transplant Games.
“Transplant Australia wanted to recognize all donors. The baton is a symbol of the gift of life that is given from donor to recipient. It is designed to be embraced by all countries, with the simple wording "Thank You" engraved in multiple languages. It also features the World Transplant Games logo as a uniting symbol of the global transplant sport community,” said WTGF President and Transplant Australia CEO Chris Thomas.
The principal aim of the World Transplant Games is to raise public awareness of the importance and benefits of organ donation. This is done by demonstrating the health and fitness that can be achieved post-transplant. Equally, the World Games aim to encourage all recipients to remain fit and healthy post transplant. Athletes are our ambassadors for the value of organ donation and give hope to people on transplant waiting lists. The Canadian Transplant Association is a member of the World Transplant Federation and organizer of the Transplant Games in Canada.
Coming soon: Donor Management and Communication Modules
The Canadian Clinical Guide to Organ Donation is an organ donation curriculum for health professionals that enhances competencies in the idenitification and care of potential deceased donors and their families. Module 4, Management of a Neurological Donor, and Module 5, Communication, have been reviewed and accredited by the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada and approved by Dalhousie University for release in early 2023.
Coming soon: A new national vision for NOTDAW 2023 and beyond
The Public Education and Awareness Committee (PEAC) is working on a new vision for National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week 2023 and beyond. A new national OTDT campaign brand and awareness strategy will be revealed to stakeholders soon. New digital tools and resources will be available to provincial donation and transplant programs and community partners in time for April/NOTDAW and can be leveraged year round to support awareness activities. Social media and digital platforms will be created to support this campaign. Stay tuned for more details in early 2023...
Have questions? Ask your local PEAC representative or reach out to OTDT@blood.ca
Upcoming events
December 15: International OTDT Webinar: Viral ecology - anticipated trends/threats to donation-transplant systems and health care system capacity.
Evolving from previously held international COVID calls, a new series co-hosted by Canadian Blood Services and the International Society for Donation and Organ Procurement, aims to bring the international community together regularly for quarterly knowledge exchange webinars.
The December 15 meeting is focused more broadly on the topic of anticipated trends in viruses that may pose a threat to donation-transplant systems and health care system capacity.
We're seeking a volunteer ethics member to join Canadian Blood Services' Research Ethics Board (REB). The ideal candidate will contribute to the REB by identifying and advising on ethics issues using a balance of ethics theory, practice and experience. Learn more about the opportunity on blood.ca
#ShareTheShorts video competition deadline approaching
#ShareTheShorts is a competition sponsored by the Ajmera Transplant Centre to:
promote awareness of the lifesaving power of organ donation and transplantation
engage students and educators in the creation of engaging and informative content that will appeal to younger and more diverse audience
build a library of innovative short-form video content public awareness messages for participating partners, social media influencers and youth to share on social media and use during key events (eg. NOTDAW, Be A Donor Month, Living Donation Week etc.)
Young creatives are invited to submit short videos appropriate for use on TikTok, YouTube and/or other social media. The videos can range in length (from 15 seconds to 3 minutes) and there is no limit on the number of submissions per individual, class or school.
The competition is open to students ages 12-18 years in Canada & U.S. All accepted submissions will be entered into a draw for prizes for budding creators. The top submissions will be awarded up to $1,000.
Up to $30,000 available. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31, 2022.
We are committed to ensuring that our publications are accessible to people living with disabilities. To ensure this site meets accessibility standards, an improvement project is underway. As a result, some older materials have been archived and are now available upon request. New materials will be made available in multiple formats and comply with accessibility standards. If you have questions or are seeking a report that has been archived, please contact our team at OTDT@blood.ca
