Organ Donation Month: The Gift of Life April is Organ Donation Month, a time to reflect on what may be the greatest gift one person can give another – the Gift of Life. One donor can save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for as many as 75 people through the donation of corneas, skin tissue, bone and bone marrow, heart valves and stem cells. Yet, as of February 5, 2026, 1,722 people in Ontario are waiting for a transplant. Every three days, someone waiting dies. According to the Trillium Gift of Life Network, 90 percent of Ontarians say they support organ donation, but only 35 per cent are actually registered. That’s just 4.4 million of 12.7 million eligible residents. Sherry Wismer, Ontario President of the Swans and a member of the Kettle Creek Swans, is very passionate about organ donation. “The Gift of Life is the greatest gift anyone can give,” she says. “When the time comes, would not your heart vote to go on beating, your lungs breathing, your eyes seeing?” Sherry’s passion is deeply rooted in her professional and personal life. A retired nursing instructor who taught at the former St. Thomas Elgin General School of Nursing and at Fanshawe, she recalls witnessing medical history firsthand. “When I was a nursing student in London, from 1965 to 1968, the first kidney transplant was done. You can imagine how exciting that was for the entire medical field.” Her husband, Harry, is a retired optometrist and former Chair of the Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, promoting corneal transplants across southwestern Ontario. Together, they have long supported awareness efforts. Despite strong public support, Sherry believes the gap in registration often comes down to hesitation. “People pro- crastinate. They intend to register then forget,” she explains. “I also believe many state they are in favour, but they have doubts and questions about being donors themselves.” She cannot overstate the importance of family conversations. “Even if you are registered, the surgeons must have the family’s approval. They do not want to upset the grieving family.” She shares a personal regret: although her mother had registered as a donor, other family members were unaware of her wishes, and her corneas were ultimately not donated. “To this day,” she adds, “It is still one of my biggest regrets.” There is encouraging news locally. Many southwestern Ontario communities exceed the provincial average. Port Stanley
and Lambton County sit at 58 per cent registration – among the highest in Ontario, and Elgin County as a whole stands at 53 percent. “I am so very proud of our residents,” Sherry says. “Please talk to your friends and families about being registered as a donor.” You can register online at beadonor.ca or when renewing your driver’s licence or health card. We all have the power to save lives.
Port Stanley Villager April 2026 cover
Chief VanRybroeck along with three Central Elgin volunteer firefighters, are ready to celebrate National Volunteer Week April 19th to 25th. Photo by Geoff Rae
INNER ELDER
MAY 27 - MAY 30
PortStanleyFestival FestivalTheatre that will open your heart and mind while you laugh out loud. After each performance, we invite you to stay and meet Michelle - a rare one-of-a-kind experience only at PSFT. Award winning Cree artist Michelle Thrush weaves real-life memories with laughter, grace and playfulness to explore her own inner elder. A mix of poignant recollections, beatiful humour and intimate stroytelling
www.psft.ca 519-782-4353
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Port Stanley Villager • April 2026 • Page 3
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