16 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 19, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Fundraisers hit the road Spring Fling Join us to celebrate Spring! Saturday, May 26, 2007 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. · Bake Sale · Crafts · Cartoonist · Dream Treats Chocolates · BBQ · Our Lake View Model Suites will be open for viewing! Home will be one of the pit stops made as long-time Oakville resident Robert Crawford and his sister-in-law, Marilyn OlivoCrawford, ride motorcycles across Canada this summer. Both experienced motorcycle riders, the duo will start their ride July 23 in Newfoundland and hang up their helmets in British Columbia on Aug. 18. They will jump out of their regular lives -- as a Bell Canada IT manager and a retired figure skating coach -- with their respective families in tow -- to promote awareness about organ and tissue donation in Canada. At the same time they hope to raise $100,000 for equipment in transplant centres across Canada. Crawford, 44, is a living liver donor who donated his liver to the wife of his eldest brother, Fred Crawford, nearly two years ago. It was on Sept. 26, 2005 that Crawford donated 67 per cent of his liver to Olivo-Crawford. The surgery was done at Toronto General Hospital and was a complete success. "Marilyn required a liver transplant because she had Hepatitis C. Apparently, she had it for over 30 years, but it didn't rear its ugly head until four years ago. After Marilyn's surgery, the surgeon came out and spoke to us and told 5314 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON 905-333-0009 PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT CRAWFORD READY TO RIDE: Oakville's Robert Crawford is set to hit the road for a cross Canada ride this summer to raise awareness and funds to benefit organ and tissue donation. their card and put it in their wallet negotiations are underway for the they need to have the discussion motorcycles the pair will ride. with their loved ones about their "We are always actively seeking wishes. That discussion can save sponsorship and supporters of the someone's life," said Olivo- ride. We are also having a fundraisCrawford. ing event Tuesday, May 29 at the Now, in partnership with the Sugar Bar in Burlington. Donations Ontario Government's Trillium, for a silent auction would be appreGift of Life Network, Crawford and Olivo-Crawford will ride across Canada over four weeks, covering almost 8,000 km. In the ride -- organized and facilitated by members of both their immediate families -- they will travel across the country to deliver their message. They expect to stop in Oakville at the beginning of August to celebrate Crawford's birthday. Crawford and his parents moved to east Oakville in 1979. Marilyn Olivo-Crawford Crawford's wife, Carolyn, has lived ciated," said Carolyn. here for 25 years and the two who To track publicity events and married 21 years ago, continue to rallies en route, visit mervshepmake their home here. pard.blogspot.com. Olivo-Crawford and her husSponsors include Trillium, Gift band live in Lyndhurst, Ontario. of Life Network; Toronto General & Both Crawford's and Olivo- Western Hospital Foundation; TDCrawford's families are playing key Canada Trust; Charley Boorman: roles in the ride -- and Crawford's Long Way Round Book & DVD; nine-year-old son Jacob will ride Canadian Motorcycle Champion: with his dad and aunt. John Williams; Canadian Vintage Jacob will turn 10 on July 26, Motorcycle Group; Jackman 2007 when the ride is expected to Foundation, and Bell Canada. be in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Supporters and corporate The Grade 4 student at Gladys sponsors are still needed. Speers School will also have a For more information contact daily blog on the ride's website. Robert Crawford at 416-353-2106; Crawford , who has been with Carolyn Crawford at 905-465Bell Canada 18 years where he is a 2499; Marilyn Olivo-Crawford at Microsoft - IPTV Manager, is using 613-928-2563 or e-mail all his vacation for the trip. Cross_Canada_Ride@yahoo.ca. Crawford has been riding a Donations can be made to TDmotorcycle since he was 16 and Canada Trust: "Cross Canada Olivo-Crawford has been riding a Ride" Acct: 307093, Branch: 2456, motorcycle for over 30 years. or cheques can be mailed, made The effort has partnered with payable to Cross Canada Ride, 2487 the Rotary Clubs of Canada and Wyatt St., Oakville, ON L6L 2M7. Jacob Crawford us how things went. He said, `Marilyn is very lucky that Mr. Crawford stepped up, she wouldn't have been with you much longer.' I remember it sending chills down my spine," said Crawford's wife Carolyn. "I don't know what I would have done without Robert's generosity because I know the typical waiting time for a kidney/liver is more than six years," said OlivoCrawford. "Canadians are dying because there is a critical shortage of organs," said Crawford. "We want Canadians to know they can make a difference by signing their donor cards and talking to their families about their wishes it's important for every Canadian to understand they can save a life," said Crawford. "I was extremely lucky and now it's my turn to give back. I want everyone to understand that they need to do more than sign Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life Oakville Unit June 1-2, 2007 Appleby College 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. A metre makes so much difference! For $250 you will receive: · Your company name on your own metre of the Relay For Life track. · High profile in a widely supported community event. Register online now at www.cancer.ca/relay or call (905) 845-5231 Event Sponsor Site Sponsor Survivor Sponsor Luminary Sponsor Print Media Sponsor