What started out as just a fundraising social for a man from Sainte-Anne waiting for a liver transplant became so much more.

Jolene Chuhai is a friend and neighbour to Rob and Penny Lesage in Sainte-Anne and organizer of the fundraising events. She says they sold more than 1,100 tickets to a recent social very quickly, so they decided to do more. “The tickets sold so fast we decided to expand, so we got t-shirts and bracelets made. We also had cash donations and huge silent auction prizes.”

Chuhai says so far 'Rob's Army' has sold nearly 350 t-shirts, approximately 800 bracelets and have raised over $43,000. They recruited a mini army with a bunch of kids that went door to door selling bracelets and raising awareness for liver disease and organ donation.

She says Rob and Penny play a huge role in their community. “Their kids play hockey, and Penny is on the board of the rec committee. When I approached them about doing the fundraiser it wasn't easy for them to accept because they've been doing this so long on their own, but I'm grateful they allowed the community to help them.”

Chuhai says Rob has been sick a long time and isn't able to work. While in Toronto, he was recently told that he is a candidate for a living liver donor. “That's where we're at now, so the fundraiser was to help with the donor family as well because they will have to fly to Toronto and have their stay like Rob and his family.”

Chuhai was told there is a lengthy list of people interested in helping so it's looking good, although she says most people aren't aware they can be a living liver donor. “We need to make sure people keep sending in their forms to keep it going. The more people who volunteer, the better the chances of someone helping Rob, or they could potentially be a match to someone else.”

Their mission is not yet complete according to Chuhai, she says they will continue selling bracelets and t-shirts as they raise awareness for organ donation so they can help Rob and other families.