May 27th Breathe In Life Walk pledges will be matched dollar for dollarin this final week

The fundraising walk for lung transplant research at Toronto General Hospital will be held this coming Sunday, May 27th at Fairy Lake, Newmarket, Ontario (directions below). Join us to help raise money for this wonderful cause one step at a time.

• Fee Before May 20, 2007: $25 per person


• Fee Day of event: $30 per person


• Fee: Team for Transplant (4 people per team) $100


• Children under 10 years with a registered adult - free


• Register online at the website


• Registration on race day: 9:00AM to 9:45AM


• Walk Start time: 10:00 A.M. 1 km or 5 km walk for life


• Walkers with $25 in donations will receive a free t-shirt


• After Walk Party: Food, drinks, prizes and draws

Event organizer Anne Barbetta has just informed me of the following exciting news:

"I received some great news from the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation office that I would appreciate you passing on in this final week before the walk. Rebecca Davies informed me that since all of the proceeds from the walk are going to support the establishment of Dr. Keshavjee's endowed research chair, the Foundation is going to match every donation made to benefit the walk in this final week. This means, of course, that someone can sponsor an individual with a donation of $20 and not only will they receive a tax receipt, but their donation will, in fact, really be worth $40!"

My heartfelt thanks go to those who have sponsored me for the walk. I'm up to $570 and hopefully I can raise that much again in this final week. Visit the website to pre-register for the walk or to sponsor me or another walker. Merv.

Below are the directions to Fairy Lake as posted on the website where you will also find a map.

• Take the 404 North to Newmarket. You will exit at the MULOCK DRIVE /VIVIAN ROAD exit- (EXIT 49)


• Turn LEFT (WEST) onto MULOCK DR / VIVIAN RD. Continue to follow MULOCK DR


• Turn RIGHT onto BAYVIEW AVE. (NORTH)


• Turn LEFT (WEST) onto WATER ST.


• Turn left into Fairy Lake parking lot. Addtitional parking is at the back of the park if you continue to follow the entrance road.


• Registration tables will be located near the entrance to the park, off Water Street, but there will be signs up to direct people (and look for the green balloons at the tables!).

Private Member's Bill would help defray expenses of living organ donors

I am very pleased to see this bill introduced in Canada's Parliament. I had the opportunity to speak with Lloyd St. Amand about this on several occasions and he and his colleagues deserve to be commended for taking this initiative. I personally know a living liver donor whose expenses topped $26,000 due to lost wages and other personal costs. Hopefully this bill will pass and more living organ donors will be encouraged to step forward, knowing that much of their expenses will be looked after. Merv.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – May 17, 2007 – Today, Lloyd St. Amand, M.P. for Brant, introduced Bill C-444, An Act to provide for cash contributions to provinces that operate programs for the reimbursement of the expenses of living organ donors, to provide for the appointment of a National Organ Transplant Coordinator and to amend the Employment Insurance Act.

When presenting this Bill, Mr. St. Amand stated:

Mr. Speaker, I wish first to thank my colleague, the member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, for his tremendous long standing assistance on this issue.

I also wish to thank my colleague, the member for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, for seconding the bill.

The living donors reimbursement act is an important step in increasing living organ donations in Canada. Thousands of individuals in Canada are currently waiting for an organ. Living donors are a vital part of Canada's organ donation system, as organs from living donors are typically healthier, function better and last longer.

We as a federal government must do more to ensure that living organ donors who are truly giving the gift of life to others are reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses and lost income. The bill would amend the Employment Insurance Act to allow those who are convalescing from their organ donation to claim loss of their wages.

The bill would also allow the appointment of a national organ transplant coordinator to lead the efforts to coordinate and match potential donors with recipients

Mr. St. Amand was awakened to the need for such a Bill during his participation in Brantford’s Annual Organ Donation Bonspiel.

“I have previously attended the Brant County Organ Donor Bonspiel, which raises funds and awareness for organ transplants. It was absolutely inspiring to hear from recipients how eternally grateful they are for the gift of life given to them. I heard many, many touching stories from local individuals who are sincere in their appreciation for receiving an organ from someone else,” stated M.P. St. Amand.

“One gentleman, for instance, hoped and prayed to live long enough to see his daughter marry. After receiving an organ, he not only lived to see his daughter married, but now spends time with his grandchildren.”

The federal government must make it as financially easy as possible for living donors. Donors must be reimbursed for lost wages for time spent away from work due to the organ transplant, as well as any travel and accommodation expenses that are incurred.

A National Transplant Coordinator would lead in the coordination of donors to recipients, as well as assist in developing a national, cohesive, inclusive and ongoing strategy for organ donation.

According to Health Canada, Transplants can save health care costs: the cost of a kidney transplant averages $20,000 plus $6,000 per year thereafter ($50,000 over five years). Maintaining a kidney patient on dialysis costs $50,000 per year ($250,000 over five years).

Currently, British Columbia is the only province with a living donor reimbursement program. A pilot project is currently being jointly funded by the provincial government and private donations.

“Canada currently ranks very low for organ transplants. I believe the removal of financial barriers is a positive step to encourage living organ donation in our country.”

Trillium Gift of Life Network Recognizes Police Officers During National Police Week

Police officers are valuable partners in saving more lives in Ontario

May 14, 2007 - Toronto, ON – Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) marks National Police Week by acknowledging the valuable contribution played by Ontario’s policing services in organ and tissue donation. TGLN recognizes the commitment and on-going support of Ontario’s police officers to save and enhance more lives in Ontario.

“We recognize that police officers across Ontario go above the call of duty to help honour a family’s wish to donate their loved one’s organs and tissue,” said Frank Markel, President and CEO of TGLN. “Their commitment to donation has helped provide the gift of life to those waiting for a life-saving organ transplants. This has certainly helped us achieve a new record for organ donations in Ontario” he added.

On April 23, 2007, TGLN announced that the 2006-2007 fiscal year ended with 184 deceased donations, up from 169 deceased donations in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

“Police officers from around the province consider it an honour and a privilege to play such an important role in helping to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation,” said Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Julian Fantino. “The OPP is proud of its history of involvement and support for organ and tissue donation in Ontario, and will continue to work with Trillium Gift of Life Network to realize the life saving potential that donation holds.”

“Police officers act as a valuable partner in our work. They go the extra mile to see that donation opportunities are successful. They assist in quick and safe transportation of organs and related specimens in critical situations, where the opportunity to provide the gift of life may have been otherwise missed,” said Charles A. Smith, Director of TGLN’s Provincial Resource Centre. “In addition to their direct involvement in donation, their community involvement has helped spread the message that organ donation saves lives,” he added.

Today in Ontario, 1748 patients are on the waiting list for a life-saving organ transplant. Of those, 1086 are men, 632 are women and 30 of those patients are children.

TGLN applauds Ontario’s police officers for their professionalism, commitment and community involvement to save and enhance more lives in Ontario.

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Click Here to Obtain a Donor Card

Trillium Gift of Life Network Honors Mother’s Day

Reminds Ontarians there are 632 women on the organ transplant waiting list

May 11, 2007 -Toronto, ON - Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) is honoring all women on the organ transplant waiting list by reminding families that Mother’s Day is an opportune time to sign their donor cards and speak to their families about their organ donation wishes.

“As you are picking out a special gift and visiting family this weekend, please take a moment to think about another kind of gift, the gift of life,” said Frank Markel, President and CEO of TGLN.

“This is my first Mother’s Day since receiving my heart and double lung transplant last December,” said Dana Trude, a mother of two from Kitchener. “I am so eternally grateful to my donor family for giving me the most amazing gift of all, my life which has enabled me to be an active mom again and enjoy the numerous special occasions yet to come.”

Today in Ontario, there are 632 women waiting for an organ transplant. These women are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and friends to many and each continues to wait for the gift of life.

Everyone is a potential organ and tissue donor. The oldest Canadian organ donor to date was over 90 years of age while the oldest tissue donor was 102. Ultimately the ability to become an organ and tissue donor depends on several factors including the health of the organs and tissue at the time of death. TGLN is urging people to take a moment to speak to their family this weekend about signing your donor card and talk about your wishes.

“You can express your wishes to become an organ and tissue donor by signing a donor card and talking to your loved ones,” said Markel. “It's critical to share your decision with your family, as they will be asked for final consent to donate your organs after your death. Discuss your intentions with them this Mother’s Day and give them a copy of your signed donor card so they can understand, support and respect your wishes in the future.”

For more details on Trillium Gift of Life Network please visit their website or call 416.363.4001 or toll free 1-800-263-2833.

Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved.

Important coming events

Please mark your calendars for these coming important events. Thanks.

Breathe In Life Walk Sunday, May 27, Newmarket, Ontario. Fundraiser for lung transplant research at Toronto General Hospital. I will be walking and have raised $450 in pledges so far. Register or sponsor me (or other walkers) at the above link.

Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.
Sunday, May 27. Walks will take place in numerous communities. Brad Skiffington, double-lung recipient and his wife Rebecca will be taking part and are looking for sponsors. Register or sponsor Brad or Rebecca at the above link.

Transplant Open Golf Thursday, June 7th 12 noon. Granite Ridge Golf Club, Milton, ON. Fundraiser for lung transplant research at Toronto General Hospital. We raised $20,000 at last year's tournament and hope to exceed that amount this year. We still need golfers, prizes and donations. Info at the above link.

Celebration of Life
NOTICE this event scheduled originally for June 8, 2007 has been postponed until this fall, date to be determined.

Trillium Gift of Life Network will hold the annual Celebration of Life to honor organ and tissue donors and their families at St. Michael's Cathedral, 65 Bond Street (corner of Shuter Street & Bond Street), Toronto. This is a wonderful opportunity to honor our donors and their families. Watch for further announcements about the revised date.

Lung Transplant Picnic and BBQ, Sunday, June 24, 12 noon at Huron Park, Mississauga, ON. Click link for all info and links to photos of past picnics.

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Click Here to Obtain a Donor Card

Nurses applauded during National Nursing Week

Nurses played a huge personal role for me leading up to, during and after my lung transplant. They continue to be my lifeline and I'm very proud to salute them by posting this press release from Trillium Gift of Life Network in Ontario.

Trillium Gift of Life Network Applauds Nurses During National Nursing Week for Helping Achieve New Record for Organ Donations

May, 7, 2007 – Toronto, ON – Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) today applauded Ontario’s nurses for their hard work in supporting organ and tissue donation and for helping achieve a new record for organ donations in the province.

“We greatly appreciate the extra steps that nurses have taken all across the province to honour a family's wish to donate their loved one's organs and tissue,” said Frank Markel, President and CEO of TGLN. “The impact this has made in helping those in need of a life saving transplant or life enhancing tissue is incredible and it certainly helped us achieve a new record for organ donations in Ontario,” he added.

On April 23, 2007, TGLN announced that the 2006-2007 fiscal year ended with 184 deceased donations, up from 169 deceased donations in the 2005-2006 fiscal year.

"As a nurse and single-lung transplant recipient, I want to personally thank my colleagues around the province for their commitment", said Kitty Sayle. "With their continued support I’m confident many more lives will be saved," she added.

“Nurses spend considerable time with their patients and their families, and we view nurses as partners in our work, relying on their judgment and expertise to help identify potential donors, manage donation cases and provide support to our donor families who are going through a very tragic event in their lives,” said Mark Vimr, Chief Nursing Officer of TGLN. “Through the combined efforts of nurses, other healthcare providers in hospitals and TGLN's clinical staff, the majority of whom are nurses, we continue to provide increased opportunities for families across Ontario to donate and give the gift of life,” he added.

Today in Ontario, 1748 patients are on the waiting list. Of those, 1086 are men, 632 are women and 30 of those patients are children.

TGLN applauds nurses for their professionalism, commitment and for their continuing support to save and enhance more lives in Ontario.

Trillium Gift of Life Network is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario and is responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and supporting organ and tissue donation across Ontario and improving the system so that more lives can be saved.

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Click Here to Obtain a Donor Card

Last call for Transplant Open Golf Thursday, June 7, 2007

LAST CALL - WE HAVE TO GIVE FINAL NUMBER OF GOLFERS AND DINNER GUESTS TO THE GOLF CLUB - IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON COMING PLEASE LET US KNOW IMMEDIATELY. THANKS.

This is a charitable fundraiser to raise money for lung transplant research at Toronto General Hospital in partnership with Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. Our golf committee (see photos) has been working hard to build on the success of last year's tournament. We've moved the event to the highly rated Granite Ridge Golf Club just off highway 401 in Milton, Ontario which is a very convenient location to get to.

The guest dinner speaker will be Dr. Shaf Keshavjee, Director of the Toronto Lung Transplant program.


THE TRANSPLANT OPEN
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Granite Ridge Golf Club, Milton, Ontario
Web site: Granite Ridge Golf Club
9503 Dublin Line, Milton, ON 905-794-0201 / 1-877-GOLF-126
Registration: 11 A.M. - Tee offs start at 11:30 am (you will be notified)
Cost: Golf, Cart, Lunch, Dinner & Putting Contest $200 per person
Cost: Dinner only: $60

Two hole-in-one contests!!

• 2-year lease of a vehicle donated by Whiteoak Ford Lincoln.


• $10,000 donated by K. P. Scharfe Insurance Brokers Ltd.


Silent Auction!

• An exciting silent auction with many great prizes.

Registration:
Tracey Jack: email or phone: 905-820-9012

Visa, Master Card and Amex accepted.
Make cheques payable to Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation and mail to: Peter Laurence, 7128 Upton Cr., Mississauga, ON L5N 7L6 (416) 471-1421
Credit card payments can be mailed or faxed:
Fax # (905) 814-5220 email Peter Laurence

Our heartfelt thanks go to all who helped make last year's tournament a big success by raising $20,000 for transplant research.

Photo Gallery 2006 Tournament

We hope the 2007 event will be even better and we will very much appreciate your support and/or participation to help raise more money for Lung Transplant Research at Toronto General Hospital, in partnership with Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation.

Toronto General Hospital is recognized as a world-class lung transplant center with some of the world’s leading research scientists and physicians. More lung transplants were performed by the Toronto General Lung Transplant Team than anywhere else in the world in 2004 (64) and that record was exceeded in 2005 and 2006.

Some of the projects they are currently working on are ways to prevent rejection, tissue regeneration, tolerance (the body's ability to accept new organs without the high doses of anti-rejection drugs now required), and making donor lungs useable that are presently not acceptable for transplant (only about 2 of every 5 donor lungs are now useable).

No one likes rejection, especially lung transplant recipients and their support people. Those of us on the golf committee are very thankful for the “Gift of Life” and are now advocates for transplant research funding and thus this tournament.

You can help support and participate in this golf event by:

• Organizing one or more golf foursomes.


• Sponsoring a hole for $250.


• If not able to golf, you can attend the dinner and silent auction.


• Donate gifts for the prize table.


• Donate prizes for the silent auction.


• Volunteer your time to help organize the golf tournament or sell raffle tickets.


• Make a financial contribution (tax receipts will be issued according to Revenue Canada Agency guidelines)
  Our charitalbe number is 12386 4068 RR0001.

Contact for prizes and gifts:
Kim Cassar: (905) 877-6886
Carol Devlin: email or phone (416) 250-1469

Golf Committee

Lung transplant recipients Kim Cassar, Peter Laurence and Merv Sheppard, who organized the first tournament, remain on the committee this year.

Tracey Jack and Carol Devlin joined the committee in 2006 and remain on the committee this year. Shown here are Tracey Jack, Peter Laurence, Lynne Laurence and Carol Devlin. (Lynne is an unofficial member of the committee and has been a wonderful hostess for meetings that were held at Peter & Lynne's home)


We on the committee are proud to be part of this charitable event. Won’t you join us June 7^th by participating in this golf tournament, dinner and fundraising event? The proceeds will help to improve the quality of life for transplant recipients and patients waiting for a lung transplant and their families.

Photo Gallery 2005 (1st) Tournament

Contact Merv Sheppard: email

Merv Sheppard
207-200 Shakespeare Drive
Waterloo, ON N2L 6C1
Phone (519) 746-1444

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Click Here to Obtain a Donor Card

Special Rogers Cable broadcast on Organ and Tissue Donation

Tuesday, May 1st, 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(The original time for this broadcast was pre-empted by a playoff hockey game)

For viewers in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Stratford and Guelph, Ontario areas, a special program on organ donation will be broadcast by Rogers Television, Cable 20, on Farwell Live, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 1st. It will be re-broadcast at midnight, 9:00 a.m. and at noon the following day. (Copies of the show will be available for purchase from Jennifer Schmidt or call 519-894-8163).

Scheduled guests include:

• Judy Wells - Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator, Trillium Gift of Life Network


• Dana Trude - Double Lung & Heart Transplant Recipient


• Frank Markel - President / CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network (by phone)


• Representative - Ministry of Health & Long Term Care (by phone - to be confirmed)

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Click Here to Obtain a Donor Card