Torch of Life comes to Garden City

Niagara this Week

Photo: Torch of Life comes to Garden City. Olivia Hubert of St. Catharines is proud to be part of the Torch of Life relay through Niagara. She will be carrying the torch in St. Catharines, before bringing it to Grimsby town hall, on Friday. She has been a volunteer with the Trillium Gift of Life Network since last February, speaking out about organ and tissue donation to youth, and distributing promotional materials to area high schools. Scott Rosts/Staff Photo

When Olivia Hubert signed up to volunteer with Trillium Gift of Life Network last February it started as a way to give back.

“I thought it was a really great cause and a good way to support the community,” said the 18-year-old St. Catharines resident.

She started to spread the word about organ and tissue donation, making presentations at Aapex Driving Academy every weekend, and started providing promotional materials and educational resources to 20 high schools in Niagara.

Then, just a few months ago, things hit close to home. Her grandmother was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and became one of the nearly 1,500 people waiting for an organ in Ontario.

“Right now she is trying to get on the list for a new set of lungs,” said the Grade 12 Sir Winston Churchill student. “Her quality of life is really deteriorating and there is nothing she can do but wait.”

Read more: http://www.niagarathisweek.com/community/article/1365949--torch-of-life-comes-to-garden-city