Power of Organ Donation Shared - Canada

Sarina Observer
Sue Morrison-Weir, whose husband was an organ donor, and Tara Bourque, 19, who recently had a double-lung transplant, lit a memorial candle at Jazz & Blues in the Village Saturday. More than 1,700 people were expected out to the annual fundraiser for the Sarnia Organ Donors Awareness (SODA) Group.

SARNIA - You couldn’t help but tap your feet and snap your fingers at McGibbon Park this weekend.

Hundreds of music fans crowded into the downtown park to hear a lineup of well-respected musicians at Jazz & Blues in the Village.

Saturday afternoon featured the Paul Keller Trio who toasted jazz legend Nat King Cole. Their reindition of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66” had the crowd singing and clapping along before rising to their feet to give the trio a standing ovation.

But as much as the festival was about the music, many in attendance also shared stories of organ donation.

Jazz & Blues in the Village is an annual fundraiser for the Sarnia Organ Donors Awareness (SODA) Group. Proceeds will allow SODA to continue helping transplant patients and their families cover out-of-pocket expenses.

John McLean, chair of the SODA board, said the group is aware of about 10 transplant patients in the area right now.

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