Seeking help for an important cause

The London Transplant Gift of Life Association is holding an event and needs your help!

On November 10, beginning at 7 p.m., Windermere Manor's Convergence Centre will be filled with some of the brightest minds in the city, coming together to learn more about the London Health Sciences Centre's need for fundraising for life-saving cardiac devices and the importance of organ and tissue donation.

"The evening will feature Dr. Bob Kiaii and Dr. Mac Quantz, who are making a presentation about the need to expand the cardiac device program, identify which patients would require this and how it saves lives," explained Jane Tucker, President of the London Transplant Gift of Life Association. Other speakers include Terry Elliott, who received an Impella cardiac device and later a heart, and Barb Van Rassal, who will talk about organ and tissue donation.

"(The London Transplant Gift of Life Association) is a passionate group of volunteers consisting of patients pre-transplant, recipients, donor families, living donors, families, friends and supportive community members who advocate for the transplant programs, do organ and tissue donation awareness and provide support to patients," explained Turner.

"I expect you wouldn't have to look far (to find) many Fanshawe students, faculty, staff and community members who have either had a transplant, have a family member who has had a life-saving transplant or may currently need one," she continued. "Maybe someone has lost a loved one and their family has made the loving and generous decision to donate and not only save others' lives but enhance the quality of life for so many others. I would expect that your community would welcome helping our cause as many would be touched by this." Turner said she is looking for help from Fanshawe because "I know it's a large supportive body of students and faculty, and it's an extremely important cause."

The event takes place on November 10 at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room of Windermere Manor's Convergence Centre, located at 200 Collip Cir. (near the University Hospital). Admission is free.

Tucker said the London Transplant Gift of Life Association is always looking for volunteers. To help with this event or with future fundraising efforts, get in touch with her at tuckerjane@hotmail. com.

For more information about the Trillium Gift of Life Network, visit giftoflife.on.ca. For more information about registering online to become an organ or tissue donor, visit beadonor.ca.