TORONTO, ONT – The first Organ Project Gala was held in Toronto on March 31st at the stately Fairmont Royal Hotel. The Gala sell out was to bring attention to the critical shortage of organ donors in Canada and the lengthy wait-list those in need of a transplant must endure.
The evening featured a gala red carpet walk and VIP reception, an amazing live auction of trips and hockey-related games, dinner and a show-stopping performance by the Broadway show Jersey Boys ensemble.
Carrie Underwood
However, the highlight of the evening’s entertainment was 7-time Grammy Award Winner Carrie Underwood who performed live onstage with her 4-piece band for over 45 minutes.
The Organ Project is the brainchild of Canadian businessman and Ottawa Senators Hockey Club owner Eugene Melnyk, who was himself a recipient of a transplant. After he experienced an extended waitlist for a transplant he started his own foundation (Organ Project) in 2016 that would hopefully end the life-threatening waitlist for those in need of an organ transplant. The evening included onstage talks from organ recipients including a mother whose son donated his kidney to his mother. The most heartbreaking moment of the evening were the parents of a 3-year-old, who donated his organs to many recipients.
For more information on the Organ project of how you can donate please contact The Organ Project.
