Deserves Recognition
I join with many US state Governors, Congresspersons and my 26-member Board of Directors of transplant surgeons in labeling George Marcello as the most astounding individual promoting life-saving organ donation, not only in the USA, but in the world. In 1997, George began walking back and forth across Canada, more than 12,000 miles and 35 million steps, carrying his “Torch of Life.” In 2001, George met in Rome with Pope John Paul 2nd who blessed the torch and said organ-donation was a genuine act of love. The Pope then urged George to pass the torch to children and walk with them in cities to empower them to carry this message to the world. In the USA, George has been conducting a 300 city student-torch relay over two years with his "Truck of Life" to promote organ donation throughout the USA from Alaska to Maine to Florida to California and then to Argentina. This is George’s seventh campaign, the other six traversing Canada and Europe. This amazing trek is traversing the Western Hemisphere which is from the top of the North Pole (well, as close as he can get = Alaska) to the bottom of the South Pole in Argentina.

Made a difference
George’s efforts and his Step By Step charity have brought awareness to millions for organ & tissue transplants and provided comfort to many patients whose lived have been saved as a result of his advocacy. As a result, millions of children have carried the “Torch of Life” worldwide. (Extensive library video footage is available, both of the children with George and of the Pope and George—much can be seen at the provided links and more is available from George.)

Turning Point
In 1995 with just hours left to live, George received the transplant “Gift of Life,” a new liver, and to show his immense gratitude he began his world-wide walks to promote organ and tissue donation. Having received a second liver transplant years later increased his resolve to “give back” and help others with such awareness of how lives can be saved by altruistic donors.

Exceptional & Unique
I’ve had a liver transplant—for George to do these journeys, walk with the children, and to have the energy and strength to continue on after TWO liver transplants is simply breathtaking. George has repeatedly had to re-mortgage his home to provide funding for his treks with kids and his world torch relay to save lives across Canada, the USA and Europe. He plans on returning to Vatican City next year to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of his powerful meeting with the Pope. This life-cause of George’s is summed up with your title of this paragraph: “Exceptional and Unique.”

How will CNN help
We have an organ-donor crisis--one person on the waiting list dies every hour due to organ shortages. CNN’s exposure of George’s advocacy will encourage organ donation and bring financial donors to help George in his trek across the USA—one can only mortgage one’s home so many times.

Websites
www.stepbystep.ca
www.youtube.com/sostheamericas
http://www.fairfoundation.org/organdonation/marcellos_work.htm
http://www.fairfoundation.org/

Lori Abittan & Multimedia Nova endorses George Marcello for CBC Champions

Does your candidate get paid or receive any funds, including stipends or honoraria, for this work?:
No, he has actually mortgaged his house to the tune of 330,000 over the years to continue his work

What is your candidate's occupation/profession and is their volunteerism related in any way to it?:
He was a substance abuse councillor/fitness promoter. He cared about people and helped them overcome their shortcomings with understanding and action. He believed in incorporating fitness and wellness to help tackle most of their life’s problems. In 1995 he received a liver transplant with two days left to live, which led to his activism in support of Canadians and others in the rest of the world in who need of organ and tissue transplants. With his life’s experiences at hand he created Step By Step and has been the CEO for the past 14 years.
How long has your candidate been involved in their current volunteer work?:
14 years

How frequently does he volunteer?:
More than 40 hours a week

In two paragraphs describe why your candidate is an outstanding volunteer, or why you think his or her work is extraordinary.
Since creating his charity Step By Step in 1996, he has devoted his entire life to making a difference, 24/7/365 for the past 14 years. His work has touched the lives of millions and his dream is to reach half the world’s population in becoming organ & tissue donors and bring this issue to the global stage by 2014. Shortly after receiving his transplant, he started with a small step 14 years ago, by walking 12,000 miles across Canada, carrying a Torch, called the Torch of Life. Throughout 500 communities, thousands of kids carried the Torch and this led to 7 cross-country campaigns, mostly in Canada, Europe and the U.S., touching the lives of millions of people. He has the heart of a Terry Fox and is affectionately called the Italian Terry Fox. He is relentless and does not understand the words Give Up and often risks his life. He cares so much about the underdog, he is often found fighting for them. He works with everyone and believes in bringing all cultural and religions together to confront the major issues of the day and inspire people through love and understanding. He believes if more people became organ and tissue donors, the world would be that much closer.

His work in the past 14 years have forever left a mark in the history of organ and tissue donations, In 1999, he inspired the Province of Ontario to help create a $120-million fund for organ and tissue donations and helped improve many laws. On Sept. 5, 2001, Pope John Paul II invited George for an audience at Vatican City. The Pope blessed the Torch and called organ and tissue donations a genuine act of love and encouraged the youth to continue carrying the torch of life to bring love to the world.  Faithfully George has carried this wish out for the past 10 years, empowering thousands of students throughout Canada and the U.S. In 2009-2010 U.S. senators, governors, transplant surgeons have called George the most remarkable person to advance organ and tissue donations in the world. Currently he is embarking on a 4-year, 200-country student torch relay that finds the Torch on the 10-year anniversary, Sept, 5, 2011, back in Vatican City where the Pope famously blessed the Torch.

How many people does your candidate's volunteerism impact?:
More than a million

If applicable, describe in 2 paragraphs or less the story of why your candidate became involved with volunteering:
He believes volunteerism is the act by which we pay rent while living in God’s house. He was enlightened with helping others after others helped him during some very difficult times in his life. His pay-forward attitude was combined with values that his parents taught him. He believes in volunteerism so much that no matter the challenges including endangering his life he felt the need to continue. His stubbornness could be interpreted as true call of duty. Besides his parents, some of the following people have greatly influenced his life: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mandela, John Lennon, the underdog, and of course the organ and tissue donor. 

Are there any special circumstances your candidate has overcome in order to help others, or during their volunteer service; for example, a physical challenge or disability, economic hardship or personal tragedy. If so, please describe the circumstances.:
He had a few special circumstances that led up to help others. During his childhood, he suffered greatly, with chronic asthma and rheumatic fever, being in and out of the hospitals most of his young life. That’s why he cannot stand to see children suffering, especially when their lives could be saved by an organ or tissue. He understood when the Pope said to pass the Torch to the children. During his teen years he was caught up with substance abuse and after overcoming this, he learned to be compassionate, patient and humble. And finally after receiving 2 life-saving liver transplants, he has devoted the rest of his life in helping millions around the world in need of transplants.  Every step of this journey has been challenging that is why every day George starts the day knowing people are dying because organ & tissues are being wasted and so he continues his journey no matter what.

Was there any personal risk, liability or exceptional sacrifice involved in the volunteerism? Please explain in one or two sentences.:
During George’s trek across the country, he has been faced with numerous physical and life threatening challenges, including, hypothermia, infections, E Coli, bears, cougars, dogs, trucks and thrombosis of liver,. His emotional challenges include losing both parents while on his treks. His mental/spiritual challenges, having to risk everything, include losing the home that his parents left him. He is now at the brink of losing his home as he embarks on his next campaign.

In your opinion, what impact will winning Canada's Champions of Change have on your candidate, or his/her volunteering effort?:
It will helps save his home and so he could comfortably continue his world tour and help bring more awareness to organ & tissue donations

If applicable, please cite any media coverage your candidate has received.:
He has garnered world media attention with the Pope visit, European Tour & Kristopher’s Wish. In total he has inspired over 5,000 media stories over the past 14 years and this is documented on his website

If applicable, please cite and name any awards your candidate has received in the past for volunteer work.:
He has received Black History Award, Toronto Police Award to mention a few. Plus many special ceremonies and acknowledgements with all 3 levels of governments and cultural & religious organizations

Please include links to articles and/or websites and blogs that highlight your candidate's extraordinary volunteering efforts.:
www.stepbystep.ca
www.youtube.com/stepbystepsos4000
http://www.fairfoundation.org/news_letter/2010/01march/000newsletter.htm
http://www.multimedianova.com/main/index.htm?id=5&subid=3

Which town/city/country did/does your candidate volunteer?:
Throughout 500 communities in Canada, 30 cities in the USA, 5 Cities in Europe