David Foster FoundationDavid Foster FoundationDavid Foster FoundationDavid Foster Foundation
  • About
    • About the Foundation
    • David Foster
    • Our Team & Board of Directors
    • Information for Families and Social Workers
  • Supporters
  • Families
  • Give
    • Donate Online
    • Be an Organ Donor
    • Donate Aeroplan Miles
    • Donate Avion Rewards
    • Sponsor a Family
    • Life Legacy Members & National Partners
    • Planned Giving
    • The Gift of Arts & Valuables
  • Be an Organ Donor
  • News & Events
    • News & Media Releases
    • Events
    • Past Events
    • Photo Gallery
    • Foundation Videos
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Cam Tait Feature Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate

Be an
Organ Donor

Be an
Organ Donor

National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month

By Alicia Moyes | Releases | 0 comment | 1 April, 2021 | 2

David Foster Foundation in the media

CHEK interview with Hovington family and David Foster April 28, 2021.

CHCH interview with Michael Ravenhill April 28, 2021. 

CJAD 800 interview with Michael Ravenhill, April 24, 2021.

CFAX 1070 interview with Michael Ravenhill April 23, 2021.

CTV News Montreal interview with Michael Ravenhill April 18, 2021.

900 CMHL interview with Michael Ravenhill April 6, 2021.

Arctic Radio 102.9 CHTM interview with Michael Ravenhill April 1, 2021.

Interview with HOLR April 1, 2021. 

This Organ Donation Awareness Month, David Foster and The David Foster Foundation want everyone to #GetVocal about the need for organ donation

Canada has one of the worst organ and tissue registration rates of all developing countries in the world despite the increasing waitlist

Do you have two minutes to help save a life? With April being recognized as National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month, David Foster and the David Foster Foundation are using this month to draw awareness to the constant need for support and encourages all Canadians to get #GetVocal.

The David Foster Foundation is a national non-profit Canadian charitable organization dedicated to providing financial support for non-medical expenses to Canadian families with children in need of life-saving pediatric organ transplants.

How can you get involved? There are multiple ways for you to support us during National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month including 1) visit us at www.davidfosterfoundation.com to see how you can help us, 2) register to become an organ donor and share your wishes with your family, 3) Follow @DavidFosterFoundation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates throughout the month, or 4) share a social post with your support by using the hashtag #GetVocal.

“This month really helps raise awareness and highlights the importance of organ and tissue registration and donation,” said David Foster, Founder of The David Foster Foundation. ‘Sadly, the need for registered organ donors is often overlooked but we want to let everyone know that they can help change this. It takes less than two minutes to register and together we can make a significant change in the lives of so many people.”

Some interesting Canadian organ donor facts to draw awareness:

  • For a developed country, Canada has one of the worst organ and tissue donor rates in the world.
  • In 2020, registration was down 39% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Over 4,500 Canadians are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and each year upwards of 1,600 people are added.
  • Of those on the wait-list, the number of deaths work out to roughly 5 deaths per week and 1 death every 30 hours, all which could have been avoided.
  • 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives and improve the quality of life for up to 75 people.

“This is an important month for all of us to draw awareness to the alarming numbers and to the urgent need for organ donation – let’s all #GetVocal,” said Michael Ravenhill, Chief Executive Officer at The David Foster Foundation.

As an example of their continuing support, The David Foster Foundation was able to help a boy named Nate, who has been struggling with intestinal failure since birth and would need to be listed for a life-saving transplant. The David Foster Foundation helped by providing funding for the unexpected financial burdens that arose for the struggling family as they awaited a donor. Happily, Nate received a multivisceral transplant in late 2020 and is still in recovery. You can read Nate’s full transplant story here: www.davidfosterfoundation.com/nate. While this is a great success story, there are a number of additional families that need support.

Over the past 35 years, the David Foster Foundation has assisted over 1,300 families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants and provided much-needed dollars in direct family support. One organ donor can save up to 8 lives and improve the quality of life for up to 75 people. It takes two minutes to register, and Canadians can find out more at www.davidfosterfoundation.com.

April Calendar

April 1 – 4 Keanan’s Family Walk

Keanan’s Family Walk celebrates Keanan and his legacy to help others.

This walk encourages families to spend time together doing activities they love the most.  

Keanan, also known as a little joker, birthday is April 1, 2021, and on this day we will kick off some family fun to celebrate!

When: April 1-4, 2021

Where: Due to the ongoing pandemic, we encourage you to get outdoors for this year’s Keanan’s Family Walk anytime from April 1-4!  

Go for a walk, jog around the block, play in your backyard, or take your dog to the park – get outdoors!

Show Your Support! Participants are encouraged to wear green and/or orange in support of organ donation awareness (green) and to wear Keanan’s favourite colour (orange).  Post your pictures on our Facebook group  @keananhelps.  Use the hashtag #Keananhelps.

April 7 Green Shirt Day

Every year on April 7th Green Shirt Day is celebrated. Canadians across the country will be wearing their green shirts proudly to honour the Logan Boulet Effect and raise awareness for organ donation and registration.  

How you can get involved and inspire others: 

Proudly wear green.
Register to become an organ donor.
Talk to your family.  

Learn more about Green Shirt Day at greenshirtday.ca. 

April 18 – 24 National Organ & Tissue Donation Week

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week (NOTDAW) raises awareness about the critical need for more donors across the country and encourages Canadians to register their decision and to talk to their loved ones about organ donation.

Be A Donor, David Foster Foundation, Organ Donation, Organ Transplant, Our Heroes, Registered Organ Donor, Transplant

Related Post

  • Calling All Canadians

    By Alicia Moyes | Comments are Closed

    David Foster Foundation in the Media   Mike Ravenhill interview with CHCH. 1059 The Region interview Thompson Artic Radio interview Read the latest David Foster Foundation spring newsletter here! YOU are the key to helpingRead more

  • The Hope Everything Will Be Okay

    By Alicia Moyes | 0 comment

    I’ve never had the pleasure of welcoming my own baby born but, I think I can imagine the endless joy a new father experiences. I was, however, at the hospital when our first grandson, Nick,Read more

  • The David Foster Foundation helps two-time heart transplant recipient reach her 18th birthday

    By Alicia Moyes | 0 comment

    Roy Green Show Interview 105.9 The Region Interview – Listen now!  A Story of Perseverance, Thanks and Survival: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2022 (Toronto, ON) – Most parents wish the world for their childrenRead more

  • 2022 Visionary Award Winners

    By Alicia Moyes | 0 comment

    Each year, the David Foster Foundation honours notable recipients with the Visionary Awards, which recognize individuals making extraordinary contributions to local, regional, and national humanitarian and business efforts.Read more

  • ORGAN donation awareness

    The David Foster Foundation launches an awareness blitz for National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month

    By Alicia Moyes | 0 comment

    Did you know that 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives and improve the quality of life for up to 75 people? Or that despite our polite nature, Canada has one of theRead more



Follow us

Quick Links

  • About
  • News & Events
  • Ways To Support
  • Donate

Victoria Head Office

212 Henry Street
Victoria, BC, V9A 3H9
Phone: (250) 475-1223
Toll Free: 1 (877) 777-7675
Fax: (250) 475-1193

Toronto Office

Brookfield Place
181 Bay St., Suite 1800, Box 754
Toronto, ON, M5J 2T9
Phone: (416)-865-4646
Fax: (416) 863-1515

© 2019 David Foster Foundation. All Rights Reserved
  • About
    • About the Foundation
    • David Foster
    • Our Team & Board of Directors
    • Information for Families and Social Workers
  • Supporters
  • Families
  • Give
    • Donate Online
    • Be an Organ Donor
    • Donate Aeroplan Miles
    • Donate Avion Rewards
    • Sponsor a Family
    • Life Legacy Members & National Partners
    • Planned Giving
    • The Gift of Arts & Valuables
  • Be an Organ Donor
  • News & Events
    • News & Media Releases
    • Events
    • Past Events
    • Photo Gallery
    • Foundation Videos
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Cam Tait Feature Blog
  • Contact
  • Donate
David Foster Foundation