To the Graduating Class of 2024,

Since David Foster is one of the most prolific songwriters ever to make magical music on the piano, we’re going to start our time together with some lyrics: not written by Mr. Foster, but their profound meaning on this — a day you, and all of your lifelong teammates have dreamed of.  The song, you ask? The Circle of Life, from The Lion King. The line? “You never should take more than you give.” At such a time when we are earnestly celebrating your accomplishments and the journey you are about to embark on, I’m not going to ask you to do something. Instead, I’m going to encourage you.

There is a profound difference.

Now, since the David Foster Foundation is rooted within Canadian soil, the default destination of this address is the true north, strong, and free. More importantly, perhaps, such a suggested geographical theme would offer the invitation of just Canadian content. But that would put possible boundaries on such a revered occasion as this, a most distinguished ceremony sweetly dripping with the raw zest of endless potential.

It is with that philosophical thesis that, while earnestly investigating the age of the youngest and oldest organ donor transplant, we chose to take a global approach, which, itself clearly demonstrates the far-reaching effects of the gift of donating an organ.

I invite you to India where a baby, born in 2014 with anencephaly — a disease when the fetal brain and skull don’t develop fully in the uterus. He only lived just 100 minutes, but donated his kidney to a woman with renal failure. The oldest? A lady, in Scotland. At the age of 107, at the time of her passing in 2016, the woman’s corneas were donated. That is our signal, and our encouragement.

Seventeen million Canadians. That’s how many people at the age of 15, from coast to coast, have volunteered: not making time or finding time but – and please try to remember this word — sharing. Time. And when you share time with something you love, the opportunities are endless.

You all are going to put your personal blueprints on your careers. Your professional lives will be measured, by and large, with success. You will have earned everything in your work life. Yet, we have community projects — worthwhile community initiatives – that are the very bloodline of our collective efforts.

The folks at the David Foster Foundation provide funding support for non-medical expenses. But those needed resources cannot be dispersed if organs are not available for children requiring life-saving organ transplants. I’m not asking you to sign a donor card. Rather, I am encouraging you to do so … to extend your own legacy and share your wishes with your loved ones.

I wish you the very best with everything you hope to do. A word of advice from someone who loves their job: make your job your passion. Do that, and you won’t work a day in your life. And please consider signing a donor card. Because it will personify one song written by David Foster, that being, When Love Comes Calling.