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Mar. 14 - Mar. 21, 2004 |
Walking for Organ Donations
George Marcello joins Kristopher Knowles' awareness trek through GTA
By Niccolò Marras
Originally Published: 2004-02-22
Kristopher Knowles' first embrace from Toronto came at 10:30 a.m., with the 645 students of the Bloor Collegiate Institute who welcomed him in his march of hope. Kristopher, 13 years old and waiting for a life-saving liver transplant, looked like a tiny hero, overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of his fans.
The school's theatre hall was crammed with teenagers, first listening attentively, then cheering him, displaying their participation and sympathy.
Such spontaneous and sincere participation can only belong to the world of teenagers. There is no electoral calculation or image return to be reaped.
Kristopher was welcomed on stage by school principal Thomas Trotter who presented him with gifts: a cap, a jacket and a jersey with the school colours.
The fair-haired 13-year-old was accompanied by his great friend and director George Marcello.
George told the students how he met Kristopher, describing the latter's enthusiasm, his tragedy, and his determination to raise the awareness of all Canadians towards organ donation.
The meetings with schools in 200 cities and towns have a specific purpose: getting youngsters involved and reaching their families through them, in order for as many people as possible to become donors. This approach could overcome any diffidence or lack of interest towards a social issue that should concern everybody. Such tragedies might suddenly strike anyone.
Another speaker on stage was an architect, Mr. Starks, who told the audience how he is only alive because of a transplant, which gave him a portion of his son's liver.
The boys and girls of Bloor C.I. were enraptured and understood the importance of organ donation.
Just before the "star" that everybody was waiting for, Ontario Health minister George Smitherman, said a few words about the young paladin of hope. "This kid can change the history of Canada. We live unhealthily, feed unhealthily, and must deal with these issues." Smitherman also brought a greeting from Premier Dalton McGuinty.
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