Life in the Fast Lane by Pastor Ian

On August 7, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. a group of 21 people left Toronto Airport bound for Edmonton to compete in The Canadian Transplant Games. The events in which they participated included track and field, as well as swimming, golf, tennis, squash volley ball and many others. What makes this so special is that every one of the competitors had received The Gift of Life in the form of a major organ/s transplant from a stranger. In addition, they had invested about $1000 to make the journey. But more than that; they invested time and energy in becoming the very best that they could be so that they were in peak form to compete at their highest level.

When twelve year old Colin stepped off the aircraft in Edmonton airport on Monday, August 7, his donor heart was beating a little bit faster than usual as he anticipated the great adventure that was beginning for him. When I spoke with his mother, she told me that his goal had been to take part in as many events as possible and bring home some medals for Ontario. He succeeded beyond even his wildest dreams.

For eleven year old Angela the story was much the same. Her little body had blossomed thanks to the donor liver she received ten years ago. She also competed to the very best of her ability and won gold in the process.

A picture of twenty six year old Susan, a Cystic Fibrosis victim comes readily to mind. I recall four years ago sharing the exercise bikes and the treadmills with her in Toronto General Hospital in what is lovingly termed "The Treadmill Room," and trying not to tangle our oxygen lines that gave us breath and life. Susan, like me, depended on oxygen from a bottle to survive. If you could see Susan now you would find it difficult to believe what I am writing. Susan now runs half marathons and is a personal fitness instructor thanks to a gift she received three years ago. That gift from a complete stranger came in the form of a double lung transplant which both saved, and changed her life. Susan returned from the Canadian Transplant Olympics to Toronto with six medals, most of which were gold!

There was Mary the heart transplantee, supported by her husband as she claimed her place as an athlete in this unique "Team Ontario." The stories go on and on, each one attesting to a very personal and unique life-struggle which resulted in victory of the Power of Possibility Thinking over disablement and death.

For myself sitting in the seat at the rear of my country church in the year 2001, an oxygen tank beside me, and not enough breath in me to be able to sing, I could never ever have foreseen this day. I had hopes;

Yes, I had unfulfilled dreams;

Yes, I had my prayers and the prayers of so many good people behind me,

and yet, without the gift of another; without the dedication of so many doctors and specialized nursing staff who believed in me. in US, neither myself or my transplant friends would have made this historical journey together.

George Santayana said: "There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval."

Twenty one people in my 'Team Ontario' group and another three hundred or so from around Canada traveled to Edmonton to 'enjoy the interval,' and in the process live an 'impossible' dream. They were and are the face of unlimited optimism and dreams being fulfilled in a very unique way.

To all my friends in the ARDS Foundation I ask for your prayers for those amazing people whose lives TODAY are on hold pending a major organ transplant .. the awesome, amazing gift that will change their lives forever.

To those who have loved ones suffering from ARDS and are looking for hope and inspiration to help carry them and their loved one through this time of trial, I offer you the kindest thoughts and prayers from those of us who have been through similar valleys in our own lives. ARDS can be overcome.