Local teacher, Lia Michalski’s video, GIVE THE GIFT, has been named one of the top three in Canada by the David Foster Foundation. The only BC finalist. Michalski, a former Cowichan Valley resident now lives in Victoria and teaches at Claremont Secondary.
“I heard about the contest from a friend of mine here in Victoria. I teach the film and television program here so I have my hand in it that way but this whole contest came about because I am very passionate about the cause.
“Then away I went and sent it off without thinking that anything would come of it. This is exciting. David Foster is amazing. The foundation is incredible, they are always promoting organ transplants and awareness and things like that. To be a part of this is more than I’d ever hoped, to get this message out on such a big scale.”
Of the other two finalists, one is ex-CFL player and the other is a group of Ryerson University students, all media people.
“I feel like I’m the small-town underdog here,” Michalski tells Cowichan Valley Citizen.
Now she needs your support by voting for her video. The winner is determined by Facebook vote.
“I have been a registered organ donor for 10 years. I wanted this video to show that an organ recipient could be anyone. I believe that the gift of another day is the most previous thing we could ever hope to pass on to an individual,” says top three finalist, Lia Michalski.
OPERATION: Registration is a challenge created by the David Foster Foundation and has been designed to inspire Canadians to become registered organ donors. Canada is lacking in organ donor registration rates at less than 20%! The need for more registered organ donors has been on the David Foster Foundation radar and they hope that OPERATION: Registration can achieve a national increase in organ donor registration rates.
To vote, go to the David Foster Foundation Facebook page. Michalski’s video, “GIVE THE GIFT” is the second one down. At the very bottom of the page, click the “like” button beside the video.
“I feel like I’m the small-town underdog here,” Michalski said.
