Walk 4 Life

THE FOLLOWING STORY IS AN EXERT FROM FRIDAY’S PRESS RELEASE… AND WHAT A STORY IT IS. IT SHOWS TRUE HEROISM ON THE PART OF TWO DONOR FAMILIES THAT TURNED THEIR OWN TRAGEDY INTO THE MIRACLE OF LIFE FOR RECIPIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PLEASE READ ON…

On an August afternoon in 2002, Joey Cole and his brother went for a bike ride.  Joey’s bicycle was hit by a car, and as a result, he was rushed to the Prince County Hospital, and later transferred to Moncton hospital for treatment. Not long after his arrival in Moncton, Joey was diagnosed as having a brain injury from which he would not recover.

Joey’s mother, Shelley Smith, said, “Once we realized the gravity of the situation and when the nurse asked if we had considered organ donation, we did not hesitate to say yes. Knowing that Joey is still alive in someone else and that he saved someone else’s life has made our loss more acceptable”.

Shelley Smith’s parents, Fran and Cecil Mosher of Kensington, understand her daughter’s loss.  She had also lost her son through a sudden tragic event.  Fran’s son, Stephen, fell down a flight of stairs in an apartment building and suffered a fractured skull when he was twenty-five years old. Stephen was transported to Prince County Hospital and then immediately transferred to Moncton Hospital. A week later, Stephen was diagnosed with a brain injury from which he would not recover. Fran, a registered nurse, had not even considered the possibility of donating her son’s organs until she was approached by a nurse and asked if she had considered donation. “We very quickly realized that donating Stephen’s organs was the right thing to do. Stephen did not need them anymore. We are very proud that Stephen was able to provide life to others.” This mother and grandmother has dealt with tragic losses and knows that “her boys” made a lifetime of difference for others.

SOMEBODIES HEROES

The Kidney Foundation and Sun Life Financial will be planting trees and  placing plaques across the Islandto recognize loved ones of families who have passed away and donated their loved one’s organs to others. The start of the innovative program began in Kensington on Friday, April 25^th at 10:00 am at the Kensington Community Park situated beside the Kensington Arena. Presentations by the families involved, the Kidney Foundation and Sun Life Financial were given at the lion’s club. A brief tree planting ceremony  followed. 

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SHARING MY STORY AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BECAUSE OF HEROES LIKE SHELLY SMITH AND FRAN MOSHER AND THEIR FAMILIES, I WAS ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS ENDEAVOUR TO REMEMBER THE REAL HEROES, BY PLANTING A TREE IN THEIR MEMORY…THREE CHEERS AND A FEW TEARS.

NATASHA(KIDNEY FOUNDATION PRESIDENT)

DEBBIE(SUNLIFE SPONSOR)

JOE (FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR)

THIS IS THE STAFF AT KENSINGTON SCOTIA BANK.

TODAY  WAS A COOL ONE…I WAS BUNDLED UP FOR AWHILE. THEN I STARTED PEELIN’ IT OFF. I WALKED FROM SPINGHILL TO O’LEARY CORNER AFTER THE CEREMONIES AND BEFORE THE BBQ.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED MY CAUSE TODAY AT THE BBQ IN CHARLOTTETOWN (SOBEY’S)

THANKS MATT…HM…HM GOOD!

  BRANDON AND COPPER

THANKS TO BARB BROOKINS ( HEAD OF THE PEI NURSES UNION ) ANOTHER ONE OF OUR SPONSORS.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE DAY… A REALLY OLD HOMESTEAD