A fake bomb threat called into Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, N.S., last month likely resulted in someone losing a chance to receive the gift of sight.
Marilyn Alexander, 54, died of lung cancer at the hospital on May 30, the day of the bomb hoax.
Her husband of 32 years, Larry Alexander, said his wife always wanted to donate her tissues and organs, but the bomb threat and subsequent evacuation of the hospital prevented that.
"I considered it my duty to make sure everything happened the way she wanted it to, and this was one thing that I just couldn't make come true for her," said Alexander.
Because of the cancer, only Marilyn's corneas were suitable for transplant, but they had to be removed within 16 hours of death by a team of specialists from Halifax.
"We didn't find out until the next day that the surgical team had been prevented from getting access to the hospital because of the bomb scare," he said.
Doctors have 14 days to use the corneas in a transplant once they are removed. If a suitable recipient isn't found within that time the corneas are used to train a young surgeon.
The 14-year-old boy who triggered the evacuation of the hospital will be sentenced in July. For Alexander, who was unable to honour his wife's dying wish, no punishment is enough.
"The punishment will likely not be doled out in any significant form, but I hope that this young man grows up to contribute to society rather than to become a nuisance to society."
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