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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 26, 2007 - 39 The choice no one wants to make By Dennis Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Eleanor McMahon is very familiar with the conversation most would rather not have and the choice no one wants to make. She had to make a quick decision about organ and tissue donation by her husband, OPP Sgt. Greg Stobbart, who died following a cycling accident on June 6, 2006. With family support, the Burlington resident decided the eyes and blood of Stobbart would be donated to help others. "What helps is the hospital staff care and attention and having the conversation with the loved one," McMahon said in an interview. "When you're married to a police officer, conversations about life and death do not occur readily or easily. He'd deal with it on a daily basis and it was a hard issue for him." But following earlier deaths of police officers, they managed to discuss and decide what to do about organ and tissue donation. McMahon is part of a new poster campaign to encourage OPP employees to discuss this sensitive topic with their families. OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino and retired OPP constable and liver recipient Gary Cooper and the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) kicked off the awareness campaign earlier this week. McMahon brought the two organizations together for the campaign, which will provide a poster for every OPP detachment and office in the province. "This allows the public to see it and officers to be aware of it," she said. "I know how hard it is for anyone to have the conversation (about organ and tissue donation) and police officers in particular." McMahon noted her husband and others at Killaloe OPP (near Algonquin Park) would transport organs and tissues to Ottawa hospitals. This is also done by officers at other OPP detachments, she noted. The Burlington resident said she introduced representatives of the two organizations and the poster campaign developed from there. "The OPP and police are all about saving lives and so is Trillium," she said. "They have congruent values, so it made complete sense." McMahon said her husband's brown eyes were among his most beautiful and prominent features, so it's fitting they were donated. "Two people have the gift of sight because of him," she said. "Even though he's gone, it's such a comfort. It was a wonderful thing to be able to do." Stobbart is among donors participating in the TGLN's 2008 calendar. A portrait of McMahon holding a photo of Stobbart in uniform will be the annual calendar's photograph for April, 2008. The free calendars are distributed to health care profes- sionals to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. "When Greg left us too young I decided I wanted to make a legacy for him that I thought he'd be proud of," said McMahon. "I'm pleased to do something positive out of tragic circumstances." A Share the Road ride is held annually in Stobbart's memory and McMahon also hopes to work on legislation for serial traffic offenders. Stobbart was an 18-year veteran of the OPP and an avid cyclist, who introduced McMahon to the sport when the couple met in 2000. They mar- ried two years later. The couple bought a house on Broadleaf Crescent in Burlington after McMahon obtained a job in the area and Stobbart was transferred to Caledon OPP shortly before the accident. He was killed after being hit by the mirror of a passing truck on Tremaine Road in Milton. TGLN is a not-for-profit agency of the Ontario government that supports organ and tissue donation across the province. For more details, visit www.giftoflife.on.ca or call 1800-263-2833. theWoodcraft sale fall Newport Grouping ­ available with drawers, wood or glass panelled doors, and adjustable shelves boxing week Shamrock Table Eve ryWoodcra ft product is on sale. Plus great savings on floor models. Seville Table ­ available any size, and with leaves or extensions. Shown in solid maple with faux suede Parson Chairs. Savings up to 40% Off! Rustic Table Classic designs. All solid wood constru ction. Custom finishing and sizing. Winsor Table / Hudson Valley Buffet Hudson Valley Wide Screen TV Console All Harvest Tables de Screen TV Console All Harvest Ta All Harvest Tables All Deluxe Harvest Tables ww w. wo o d c ra ft. ca Mississauga: 2185 Dundas St. W. 2 BlocksW. ofErinMills Pkwy. (905) 607-2247 · Open Sunday Workshop & Showroom: 370 Denison St. E., Markham (905) 475-2488 · Open Sunday Whitby: 111 Dunlop St.W. at Brock St. (905) 668-2770 Open Sunday