TORONTO – Last Friday’s episode of Canada AM entitled ‘Be A Donor’ generated a spike in online donor registration at Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplant agency Trillium Gift of Life Network, CTV said.
The live two-hour special, aimed at generating awareness and calling to action, featured Canadian organ donation crusader Hélène Campbell in her first one-on-one interview since receiving the gift of new lungs last month. It also included heart-felt stories of recipients, wait-list patients, donors and families, all encouraging Canadians to take action over the weekend.
Trillium’s website www.BeADonor.ca saw 968 new online registrations on Friday alone, nearly 20 times the daily average, and 274 new registrations over the weekend. In addition, a total of 2,318 Ontarians used the site on May 25 to either register as donor or to check or update their donor status, setting a new one-day record.
“Our aim in producing the special was to drive Canadians to register their consent, and we’re thrilled at the impact that resulted,” said Lis Travers, Canada AM’s VP and executive producer, in the announcement. “We again thank Hélène for choosing CTV and Canada AM as her first one-on-one post-op interview. We are proud to have helped her share her “lung story”, and the journeys of so many other Canadians.”
