Be A Donor Month 2026

April is BeADonor Month in Ontario; and April 7th is Green Shirt Day across Canada, (a day inspired by the passing of Humbolt Broncos Defenceman Logan Boulet in 2018, who saved 6 lives through organ donation, following the bus crash in which 15 of his teammates also lost their lives);

WHEREAS, the goal during BeADonor Month is to inspire those who have not yet registered consent for organ and tissue donation; and

WHEREAS, on average 1,400 people in Ontario are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and every three days someone will die waiting for an organ transplant; and

WHEREAS, in 2025, 362 deceased organ donors gave the gift of life, 1,088 deceased donor organ transplants were performed in Ontario, and 2,051 tissue donors enhanced the lives of thousands; and

WHEREAS, everyone has the potential to be an organ and/or tissue donor, regardless of age or health; one organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 others through tissue donation; and

WHEREAS, 90% of Ontarians support organ and tissue donation yet only one in three (35%) of eligible Ontarians have registered their consent to donate; and

WHEREAS, families almost always consent to donation when there is evidence that a loved one registered their decision to donate, but in the absence of a registered donation decision, families consent only half of the time; and

WHEREAS, the Transplant Advocate Association (TAA) exists in our region, to provide information and support to both pre and post organ and tissue recipients, donors and their families, and to create awareness amongst the general public about organ and tissue donation and transplantation;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Shawn Pankow, hereby proclaim the entire month of April as "Be a Donor Month" and April 7th as "Green Shirt Day" in the Town of Smiths Falls and I encourage all citizens to learn more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation, and consider pledging their support to BeADonor Month by registering as a donor at BeADonor.ca.