Priests, rabbis, imams urge organ donation
TORONTO, ON—The Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) has launched a multi-faith campaign to encourage those of different religions to donate their organs and tissue after death.
"We know that particularly on issues that relate to death, people turn to their religious leaders for advice," says Frank Markel, TGLN president and CEO. "So we thought it was particularly important to ask faith leaders to be clear on their support for organ donation."
There are currently 4,000 Canadians on the organ donation list—1,700 of whom are in Ontario.
"People are dying in Ontario today simply because not enough people agree to be organ donors," says Markel. "Our consent rate in Ontario is only 60 per cent, so we're losing four out of 10 potential organ donors. If everyone agreed to be a donor we would end death on the waiting list."
The Toronto Board of Rabbis, the Canadian Council of Imams and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto have thrown their support behind the campaign. No Protestant group is yet involved. Markel says this is because TGLN initially targeted those faiths with low donation consent rates.
"We had to start somewhere," Markel says, "and in the case of people of Muslim and Jewish faith…many were under the impression they couldn't donate. We had people telling us they weren't willing to let their loved ones be a donor because they thought it was against their religious beliefs, so we thought that needed clarifying."
Markel says the TGLN received an "enthusiastic and positive" response from both Muslim and Jewish leaders.
The charity also has a long-standing cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church, including developing an initiative to educate parish priests about the issue.
"We have now begun conversations with the United Church and the Anglican Church," Markel says, "and look forward to working with them."
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
