Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is a volunteer-run nonprofit in Sarnia-Lambton that promotes organ and tissue donation through public education, outreach, donor registration drives, and fundraising events such as raffles and an annual golf tournament. The group operates information booths, organizes community activities with local volunteers and sponsors, and provides patient liaison services and emotional support for transplant recipients and donor families.
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Last updated on Apr 10th, 2026
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Recent Activity
First Canadian recipient cardiac transplant using Transmedics OCS at LHSC
London Health Sciences Centre performed a Canadian first by implanting a donor heart kept beating on the Transmedics Organ Care System in February 2026, offering expanded options for patients on the transplant wait list. The OCS preserves and monitors heart function while extending possible transport time to 12 hours, and clinicians reported immediate, strong function once implanted.
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Double living donor saves two strangers
Meghan Rozema of Sherwood Park donated part of her liver in 2021 and later gave a kidney in 2023, becoming the only person in Alberta known to make two non directed living donations. The story, published by Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness on September 13, 2026, highlights her testing, recovery at the University of Alberta Hospital, and the lives saved by her gifts.
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Celebration and awareness of living organ donors
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is dedicating this week to celebrate living organ donors and bring attention to the Gift of Life given by donors who are still living. The observance spotlights donor stories and community awareness activities organized locally in Sarnia.
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Ellaween costume donations
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness and Sarnia Scare Grams are collecting gently used children costumes for Ellaween, with drop-offs at five Sarnia locations through Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Bring clean, wearable costumes to any listed site so more local kids can enjoy trick or treating without the cost burden; full details are posted in the event Facebook group.
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Record-duration pig kidney xenotransplant case report
A genetically modified pig kidney implanted at Mass General Brigham worked in patient Tim Andrews for a record 271 days after the transplant on January 25, 2025, providing months free from dialysis. The organ was removed in October 2025, Andrews had 82 days of dialysis, and then received a human donor kidney in January 2026; the full case is published in the Lancet.
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Seminar on healing the nervous system during and after transplant
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is offering a seminar titled "Seminar on healing the nervous system during and after transplant" that focuses on nervous system recovery related to organ transplant. The notice was published on 2026-08-26 and is intended for transplant recipients, caregivers, and community members interested in post transplant wellness.
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The Refined Fool takeover — Tattoos For Transplant designs
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is doing a Wednesday takeover at The Refined Fool featuring Tattoos For Transplant designs by Josh Douwes of Bluewater Tattoo. Stop by to view the flash designs in the photos and take part in games and summertime fun during the pop up.
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The Refined Fool — community gathering invitation
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness posted a friendly invitation to "join us for some fun at The Refined Fool" on 2026-07-17, calling out Refined Fool Brewing Co and organ donor messaging. The brief social invite suggests a casual community gathering, with details to follow from the organizers.
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First kidney and bladder transplant milestone
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness reports that the world's first kidney and bladder transplant was completed at UCLA Health in May 2025. The original report is available via UCLA Health's news page, documenting this medical milestone and its significance for transplant medicine.
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Annual Spring Raffle 2026 Winners
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness announced the Annual Spring Raffle 2026 winners on 2026-06-24. Cody Ulrich won the $500 prize, and five participants each received $100, acknowledging community support for the organization's awareness efforts.
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Spring Raffle Day
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is hosting Spring Raffle Day with a live draw at 2:00 PM on 2026-06-24, posted in the same channel as the announcement. Tune in at the scheduled time to see the winner and support the organization's organ donation awareness efforts.
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Spike in organ donor registrations after publicized lung transplant waitlisting
After the Royal Palace announced on June 5 that Crown Princess Mette-Marit was placed on the lung transplant waiting list, 12,000 people registered as organ donors in Norway. The Organ Donation Foundation and NTB reported this surge, noting it equals about 180 times the prior month, while roughly 600 patients remain on the national waiting list.
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30th Annual SODA Golf Tournament
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness thanks players, donors, sponsors and volunteers after the 30th Annual SODA Golf Tournament, noting a successful fundraising effort despite rainy weather. The post singles out Alliance Fabricating Ltd. and The Sarnia Anti Aging Clinic as dinner and cart sponsors and directs supporters to www.beadonor.ca/soda for more information.
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Spring Raffles
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is running Spring Raffles and warns that tickets are only available for a few more days, so supporters should act quickly. The post was published on 2026-06-15 and emphasizes limited availability without listing prices or purchase details.
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Thank-you and donation acknowledgement from recent community event
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness thanked the SLEAC - Sarnia Lambton Esso Annuitants Club for hosting a fish fry and for a generous donation, and singled out Rick Feldon for donating his winning portion of the 50/50 draw. The organization described a lovely evening reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new supporters in Sarnia.
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Humorous organ transplant social post
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness published a short, humorous social post imagining a transplant origin story where a new organ arrives by Lamborghini on 2026-06-07. The playful line is crafted for easy sharing and is likely to prompt smiles and social engagement.
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Social post noting American origin with similar sentiments
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness posted a short note on 2026-06-06 pointing out that the source is American while confirming the sentiments align locally. The message is a brief clarification useful when comparing regional wording and shared values.
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Spring Raffle & 30th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraising
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is on site during First Friday in front of The Lawrence House with volunteers Corey and Elizabeth, selling Spring Raffle tickets and taking sign ups for their upcoming 30th Annual Golf Tournament. Stop by to support a local fundraising effort, pick up tickets, and register to play in the milestone tournament.
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Reflection on Natasha Richardson and organ donation publicity
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness posted a reflection on 2026-06-04 noting how publicity around Natasha Richardson and Gift of Life highlights the positive outcomes that can follow tragedy. The short Facebook share links to further reading and frames public remembrance as a way to raise organ donation awareness.
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Corneal donation awareness update
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness reminds the community that almost everyone can be a corneal donor while noting a 3 year waiting list, and links to a Facebook post for more context. The short update both honors a brave young person and urges awareness about local corneal donation needs.
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2018 transplant chain participation
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness reports that in 2018 an "Off Campus" star took part in a 14 person transplant chain that resulted in seven people being saved, including his childhood friend. The brief account underscores how linked donor chains can produce multiple lifesaving matches and close personal outcomes.
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30th Annual SODA Fundraising Golf Tournament
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness is holding its 30th Annual SODA Fundraising Golf Tournament at St. Clair Parkway Golf in Mooretown on June 19, 2026, with registration at 11:00 AM and a shotgun start at 1:00 PM. Entry costs $600 per foursome, hole signs are $100, and you can register via the online form, email, phone, office drop off, or the event's Facebook listing. Call (519) 344-7777 or email sarniaorgandonors@gmail.com for details.
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Announcement about promising Type 1 Diabetes treatment technology
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness published a brief update on 2026-05-20 noting a promising new technology from McGill Unuversity that could lead to better treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. The announcement highlights the development and points readers to the named organizations for follow up.
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Fashion story with kidney transplant tie-in
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness published a short Canadian fashion story tied to a kidney transplant on 2026-05-20. The piece blends style and organ donation awareness in a concise, human centered narrative meant to engage and inform readers.
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Temporary change to office hours
Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness says regular office hours are paused this week because their volunteer Jay is on vacation, but telephone and email will be monitored for messages. Leave a phone message or send an email and the team will respond through their usual contact channels.
