To commemorate National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness
Week, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is officially
opening the Garden of Life. Located on Level One in the second
inner courtyard, the Garden of Life is a living memorial recognizing
organ and tissue donors and their families. The Garden will
continue to grow and flourish and be a place for families
to commemorate their loved ones, a place of reflection for
staff and a place of hope for those waiting for the life-saving
gift.
Dr. Adrian Robertson is the Chair of the Organ and Tissue
Donation Committee. He remarked that “life-giving tissue
donations are changing lives and families”. He noted
that “people come together at times of great need. The
Garden of Life will speak of a continuity of care that reflects
our value for life and will be a symbol of life and hope for
many people for years to come.”
Diane Atkins is a member of a donor family. She expressed
“the organs donated from her family member have enabled
others to live. It is a special feeling to know that life
continues for others.”
Ron Saddington is the President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre. He commented that “our skilled
medical teams are prepared to help at any time and that a
number of people in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario are
living fruitful lives because of the willingness of people
to share even at a time of misfortune”.
Sculptor, Bruce Stonehouse suggested that his “three
paneled structure with an acorn containing an oak leaf inside
called Nature’s Integrity, symbolizes life within life.”
Garden Designer, Carol McCollum, says “the place fulfills
a special need for everyone. It is an expression of giving
and receiving.”
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Dr. Scott Skinner, a Donor
Family After-Care specialist from the Trillium Gift of Life
Network in Toronto, commented that “the need for care
for the donor family is especially important. The recipient
is well-cared for, but, comfort and encouragement is very
important as well for the donor family as we remember that
the cycle of life is enabled through the human tissue and
organ gift.”
For further information, contact:
Sandra Petzel
Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator
Trillium Gift of Life Network
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Phone: (807) 684-6033
Email: petzels@tbh.net
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