Introduction to SOS THE AMERICAS

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Step by Step, a non-profit charitable organization. We are committed to promote Organ and Tissue donations, so that more people who are desperately waiting for these precious gifts can have their lives saved and restored.

People from all walks of life have been and are continuing to receive diagnoses of terminal organ diseases and tissue damage. They now have an opportunity to get on the waiting list to receive a life saving organ transplant and restoration of tissues. Countless people throughout the world have received organ & tissue transplants and as a result have led healthy and active lives. Before organ & tissue transplants, these people would have likely died or have been disabled.

Clearly we have a cure on our hands A lot of credit goes to the researchers, hospital staff, and agencies that facilitate the process. The most important person is the organ & tissue donor, without them the process would not exist. For organs alone, Canada has over 4,000 people on the waiting list; the United States has over 90,000.

The unfortunate comment in this picture is that many of these people will not receive their transplants and many more thousands will not have the opportunity to get on the waiting list. In fact every day someone is passing away while waiting in Canada and almost every hour someone passes away in America. Many precious organs are going to waste in both countries. The problem is a shortage of donations. Clearly we must do more, and more can be done.

Please join us in Step By Step’s 7th Campaign SOS THE AMERICAS and support the 500 Student Torch Champions as they relay the Torch of Life throughout 36 countries of the Americas.

With Kinds Regards
George Marcello CEO/Founder Step By Step

Torch Of Life & the Student Torch Champions

• June, 2000 - The famous Torch Of Life was first lit up at the start of the Canada 769 Day Walk in memory of Legendary World & Olympic Champion Swimmer Victor Davis.
• September 5, 2001 - During Step By Step’s 3rd Campaign, as he blessed the Torch Of Life,
  Pope John Paul II urged George Marcello to pass the Torch to the Students
• Jan 8, 2004 - During the 4th Campaign, the Torch was given to 14 year old Kristopher Knowles. He needed a liver transplant. Kris recruited hundreds of thousands of students as he carried the Torch Of Life across Canada.
• October 1, 2007 - During the 6th Campaign , 17 year old Kris passed the Torch to 17 year old St John's Native Samantha Elton Taite; the Torch was carried by 100 other Students across Canada to Yellowknife NT
• April 6, 2009 - After the 6th Campaign,  the Canadian Students were honoured for their great work at a special ceremony Their combined feat will set an example for other countries. This event set the stage for the next chapter of the Torch Of Life to continue its journey and helped launch Step By Step’s 7th Campaign SOS THE AMERICAS, SOSTA for short.
  
• October 24, 2009 - This is why we are currently organizing over 500 students in 36 countries in the Americas in Step By Step’s seventh campaign, SOSTHEAMERICAS. These student’s roles include carrying the Torch, talking to the public, media interviews and participating in photo ops.

SOS THE AMERICAS 2 YEAR JOURNEY

• Start: Wasilla, Alaska October 23 2009
• Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina October 24 2011
• 277 Press Conferences
• 36 Cities in Canada
• 159 Cities in USA
• 28 Cities in Mexico
• 7 Cities in Central America
• 14 Cities in the Caribbean
• 13 Cities in South America

Inspiring Presidents, Prime Ministers, Government Officials, Media, Celebrities & the Public  about the importance of organ & tissue donations in 36 countries of the Americas. Throughout all these countries in the Western Hemisphere, human compassion and kindness will triumph and many lives will be saved From Alaska USA, throughout 36 countries of the Americas, to the final destination in Southern Argentina 500 students will become one voice Their collective voice will be to inspire the media, public and all levels of government. These students could be the spark to one day form the Union of the Americas on organ & tissue donations. They could inspire millions maybe a billion people. They could inspire the world.

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