I invite you to imagine the following: David Foster walking around on the revered Massey Hall stage in Toronto, dressed in a white tuxedo, the crispiest white shirt, sparkling cufflinks, black magic bow tie, and a pair of freshly polished shoes that give a sterling reflection of every spotlight possible. He sits down on the comfortable piano bench. Microphones are in place, some dangling from the hall’s ceiling.

Mr. Foster’s incredible band, ready and focused, awaits his cue. The audience’s thunderous welcome applauds fade to permit the spine-tingling silence in the hall, a most masterful audio achievement.

After 30 seconds or so, the grace period shown by the audience turns into somewhat of a nervous nuisance, waiting for Mr. Foster to start the concert with his first gentle touch of a key on his … piano.

But, hark! There is no piano in site. So, all of his God-given talent – and we certainly know he has that – cannot be used to create enjoyment for thousands.

We all need things. If we don’t have them, we cannot do things we want to do – fully take the full opportunity of exploring our potential, leading to us putting our footprint on what we do, and how we do it.

Now: that analogy certainly cannot be of Mr. Foster, pianoless at Masey Hall, and cannot be compared to the wonderful youngsters who are in need of organ transplants. Moreover, the David Foster Foundation can have millions of dollars in its bank account to help families with non-medical expenses while their child undergoes an organ transplant. But if there are no available organs for transplants, so many pieces of the puzzle are put on hold for their perfect fit.

Typically, April is known for new beginnings on many levels – religious, farming, and, alas, hockey playoffs. During the week of April 21-27, National Organ and Tissue Awareness Week descends on Canada, known as Bill C-202 passed by the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in February of 1997.

The objective, of course, is to solicit Canadians to share two minutes of their time to – say it with me, one time – sign an organ donor card.

And, it is crucially needed. Statistics tell us 90 percent of Canadians polled say, yes, they support organ and tissue donation. Yet, only 32 percent are registered donors.

With 4,400 Canadians waiting for life-saving organ transplants, and for the roughly 250 people who pass away every year while waiting for a transplant, the aforementioned 90 percent and the 32 percent figures …  does that make sense?

Oprah Winfrey once said, “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” But perhaps there’s another significant piece: asking again. And again. And…again. From personal experience, the more one asks again, the more people understand that you, and your request, are serious. Hence, the work of the David Foster Foundation.

It would be an interesting tale to hear David Foster asking, for the very first time, he wanted to play the piano – which he did at age five. Because of his ask, a historic music career and equally epic philanthropic involvement flourished. We must remain steadfast to keep asking, and again, for folks to sign donor cards.

There are just too many people relying on our request.

Click here to learn more about organ donation or register today.