Honouring their heroes, Canada

By Sabrina Burrell For the Sentinel-Review

WOODSTOCK – For the walk's organizers, Sunday was a terrific start to raising local awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Dozens of families and friends of organizers Joanna Mitchell and Nicole Lalonde turned out to the first local "fun walk" at Southside Park to show their support for the life-saving decisions made by people who donate their organs after death.

"It was a pretty good turnout for its first year," said Mitchell's husband Jeff. "We hope to get it out in the community more next year."

Both the Mitchell family and the Lalonde family have been touched by the gift of life given by organ donors. Ryley Mitchell received a heart transplant when she was seven months old, and Jack Lalonde had a liver transplant less than a year after he was born.

A moment of silence was held before the walk began to thank the families who chose to donate the organs of their loved ones, and to all the "angels" whose gifts allowed other children to live. Lalonde said the music they played during the moment of silence – the Superman theme song – was for her son Jack, who loves superheroes, and for all the donors who are heroes for the people they save.

Shelley Sherry and her family drove to Woodstock from Norwood to take part in the walk. Her son Owen received a heart transplant when he was less than a month old, and the Sherrys are friends with the Mitchells through a group on Facebook. The two families have become close through their ordeal and spend time together often. Shelly's husband Joe said they came down to help support the organ awareness walk, and because Owen has just celebrated his five year milestone with his new heart.

For more information on organ donation or to register as a donor, and to watch Ryley's story, visit www.beadonor.ca.