Cambridge, Ontario – Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) was honoured to receive the 2024/25 Ontario Health (TGLN) Hospital Achievement Award, marking the third consecutive year CMH has been recognized for their unwavering commitment to supporting organ and tissue donation.
CMH supported several organ donors in 2024-25, which led to nine organs being donated for transplant, saving six lives, There were also 24 tissue donors, which went on to enhance the lives many others.
“Every donation story stays with you,” said Vera Heldman, Clinical Educator Facilitator, Critical Care, whose passion for helping others through donation and education runs deep. “When a family says ‘yes,’ they're also saying ‘goodbye,' while another family gets to say ‘hello’ again. That thought keeps us going.”
This achievement speaks to the quiet strength of CMH's teams where this kind of work spans departments. It's never an easy conversation. It's often filled with both pain and purpose. Supporting families through this choice is a powerful and meaningful part of what these teams do.
“Ensuring a caring and empathetic environment is a priority for our critical care team members so that we can best support families with end-of-life decisions.” Added Vera.
Being recognized by TGLN is a reflection of CMH's culture of compassion and collaboration. CMH thanks all the staff and physicians whose commitment to supporting organ and tissue donation saves lives.
The Hospital Achievement Award for Provincial Eligible Approach Rate recognizes the hospital for demonstrating leading practices and facilitating donor discussions with eligible patients and families of patients at end of life. CMH exceeded the target of 90% reaching a 100% eligible approach rate, which underscores the teamwork and empathy that define this work – where excellence is measured not only by the lives saved, but by the humanity behind it.
About Cambridge Memorial Hospital
Cambridge Memorial Hospital is an acute care hospital offering a full complement of services including surgery, maternity, laboratory, diagnostics and emergency. It employs over 1,100 dedicated and skilled health care professionals, technicians and staff, 280 physicians and 200 volunteers providing exceptional care to the residents of Cambridge, the township of North Dumfries and the Region of Waterloo. For more information, visit www.cmh.org.
About Ontario Health Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN)
Ontario Health (TGLN)’s mission is to save and enhance more lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation in Ontario. In 2024/2025, Ontario hospitals supported 339 organ donors, providing life-saving organ transplants to 836 individuals. For tissue donations, 2,077 tissue donors enhanced the lives of many others. These are made possible by hospital partners who continue to make organ and tissue donation a priority.
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For media inquiries contact:
Robelle Meereboer
Communications Specialist
Public Affairs & Communications
Cambridge Memorial Hospital
519-621-2333, ext. 2603
rmeereboer@cmh.org