DURHAM REGION, ON — Lakeridge Health is being recognized as a provincial leader in organ and tissue donation, transforming moments of profound loss into lasting legacies of life and healing for patients across Ontario.
The hospital network has received two prestigious provincial honours from Trillium Gift of Life Network, part of Ontario Health’s 2024–2025 Hospital Achievement Awards. The recognition highlights Lakeridge Health’s Critical Care–led approach to organ donation and its unwavering commitment to ensuring that every eligible family is compassionately offered the opportunity to donate.
Lakeridge Health achieved a 100 per cent Eligible Approach Rate, earning the Provincial Eligible Approach Rate Award, and also received its second consecutive Award of Excellence for meeting or exceeding provincial donation targets for four or more consecutive years.
“These achievements reflect the extraordinary efforts of our Critical Care teams,” said Dr. Karim Soliman, Critical Care Chief at Lakeridge Health. “In moments defined by grief and uncertainty, families choose generosity and humanity. Because of their courage, and the clinical excellence of our teams, lives are saved.”
During the 2024–2025 period, Lakeridge Health supported 10 organ donors, five each from Ajax-Pickering Hospital and Oshawa Hospital Critical Care Units. These donations resulted in 30 organs transplanted, saving 23 lives across Ontario.
Eric LeBlanc, Interim Director of Critical Care, emphasized the collaborative nature of the process. “Organ donation is a shared journey. Our teams work alongside families with respect and compassion, ensuring every decision is informed and supported. That partnership is what makes these outcomes possible.”
Beyond organ donation, Lakeridge Health also supported 105 tissue donors, significantly improving quality of life for countless Ontarians. The organization continues to lead the province in eye donation, with nearly 800 individuals potentially regaining sight this year alone.
Tissue donation contributions included:
- Ajax Pickering Hospital: 17 donors
- Perry Hospital: 5 donors
- Bowmanville Hospital: 13 donors
- Oshawa Hospital: 70 donors
Through consistent excellence, compassion, and teamwork, Lakeridge Health continues to set the benchmark among Ontario’s community hospital systems—proving that even in loss, hope and healing can endure.