April 24, 2007

Contact:
Judie Havers
Corporate Communications & Public Relations, LHSC
519-685-8500, ext. 58738

Transplant Recipient Walking to Raise Awareness

(LONDON, Ontario) April 22 to 29, 2007 is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week.

On Sunday, April 22nd, Tom Awad, a 65-year-old liver transplant recipient, began his walk from Windsor to London to pay tribute to his donor and to organ donor families across Canada. Tom will be joined by his 64-year-old brother, Roger, who is supporting Tom in his efforts to raise awareness of the need for organ donors, and to raise funds for the 2007 Canadian Transplant Games being held in Windsor. Tom is the Co-Chair of the Games.

Tom and Roger left Windsor on Sunday, April 22nd, traveling along Highway #2, reaching Tilbury before darkness set in. They left Tilbury early this morning and expect to arrive in Chatham by 7:00 pm.

On Tuesday, April 24th, they will leave Chatham at around 10:00 am, and continue walking along Highway #2 through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They hope to arrive in Lambeth by Friday, April 27th.

On Saturday, April 28th, Tom and Roger will walk from Lambeth to the outskirts of London, and will take a much needed day of rest on Sunday.

On Monday, April 30th, they will leave Lambeth, continuing to walk along Highway #2, to Wonderland Road, to Sarnia Road, to Western Road, arriving at the front doors at London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital at 11:00 am. They will be welcomed at the Transplant Unit by physicians and staff.

The media is invited to meet Tom and Roger at any point in their journey, and to be on hand as they arrive at University Hospital. To contact Tom directly by cell phone, please call 519-890-2360.