Toronto Board of Rabbis show support for organ donation

    Trillium Gift of Life Network works with Toronto Board of Rabbis to get
    message out

    TORONTO, May 2 /CNW/ - The Toronto Board of Rabbis (TBR) and Trillium
Gift of Life Network (TGLN) are working together to promote organ and tissue
donation awareness, to deliver sermons from Toronto pulpits and distribute
information pamphlets to hospital chaplaincies illustrating the support for
organ donation within the Jewish religion.
    "I'm so proud this partnership is continuing to thrive," said Frank
Markel, President & CEO of TGLN. "It's important that all religions understand
that organ donation is a positive decision, and that there are no barriers
because of strong religious affiliation. The sermons delivered this Saturday
speak volumes for the importance of organ and tissue donation, we hope that
people will decide to be donors and speak to their family about their wishes."
    Eya Donald-Greenland has herself made the life-saving decision. Her son
was a donor following a massive heart attack. "The opportunity to offer the
gift of life to so many others, at the worst moment of our own lives, has
enriched and strengthened our family beyond measure. The knowledge that so
much good resulted from his death has inspired us and helped us to heal."
    This is the second year Toronto-area Rabbis have collectively delivered
"inspirational" sermons supporting organ donation. Last year, the sermons
helped correct the misperception that Judaism does not support organ donation
and congregants across the city were inspired to make their donation wishes
known by talking with their families.
    "Every day that passes, people are left wondering if they will have
another day of life as they desperately await the news of an organ that could
save their life," said Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich, President of the Toronto Board
of Rabbis. "This is a crisis not only for them, but for their families -
spouses, parents, children and communities. The gift of life, in the form of
organ donation, is truly a gift of love, as well. The Rabbis of the Toronto
Board of Rabbis are honoured to bring this message to our congregations again.
The impact of last year was significant in raising our community's awareness
to this need, and we will continue year after year until no one needs to wait
for this life saving gift of kindness."
    Today in Ontario, 1719 patients are on the waiting list. Of those, 1073
are men, 620 are women and 26 of those patients are children.
    "Working with the Jewish Community is an important step," said Markel.
"We are working hard with many different faiths to educate their congregations
on organ and tissue donation because we know there are very few religious
barriers to donation."
    For more details on Trillium Gift of Life Network please go to
www.giftoflife.on.ca or call 416.363.4001 or toll free 1-800-263-2833.

    Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the
Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating
and supporting organ and tissue donation across Ontario and improving the
system so that more lives can be saved.

For further information: Carrie Hoto, Trillium Gift of Life Network,
(416) 619-2299 (direct line), (416) 735-0099 (cell)