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My life changed in early 2014 when my doctor told me I had a liver tumour. I had no symptoms; I didn't have pain, didn't have jaundice, didn't feel weak. It was a matter of chance that the tumour was found. I had to go home that evening to tell my wife I had cancer and needed a transplant. We waited a few months to tell our children so they could finish their school year. Telling them was the toughest thing I've ever done. Two months later, I underwent testing to see if I qualified for a transplant. The tumour had grown too large and I didn't meet the guidelines. At the point I thought I was going to die. Thanks to a chemo treatment called a TACE, the tumour shrank to the point where I qualified for a transplant. I went on the list later in 2014, and received the call two months later. The transplant took place the next day. It failed on the table. My family was told we needed a new donor in 24 hours. Needless to say, despite our excellent system, you don't get a new organ in 24 hours. Somehow I survived without a liver for five days. Just when my family was losing hope, a new liver became available. I am living a normal life, and I am thankful to still be here. I will become a grandparent soon, and I will live to see my grandchildren.

Be a hero. Be an organ donor.

An organ donor can save up to eight lives. Think about that for a moment. If something happens to you, wouldn't you want your passing to have meaning? I think every organ donor is a hero who saves lives. My experience shows what a donated organ can do. I have no doubt that I would not be alive today had it not been for the gift of life I received. Be a hero. Register now as an organ donor by going to beadonor.ca. It just takes a two minutes. One last note - if you signed a donor card, or signed a driver's licence, those are no longer effective. You must register online. If you're not sure if you're registered, you can check at beadonor.ca.