‘That match is out there’: As a St. Thomas girl awaits liver transplant, local minor hockey team raises funds and awareness

Teams gathered around centre ice at the Joe Thornton Community Centre for a moment of reflection for those who need organ transplants. Brent Lale reports.

Teams gathered around centre ice at the Joe Thornton Community Centre for a moment of reflection for those who need organ transplants.

The 11U St. Thomas Stars hosted the West Lorne Comets in a transplant awareness game on Sunday.

“Each year we pick a different association that we want to try and rally around,” said Ryan Shaw, manager of the Jr. Stars. “We picked the Ontario Transplant Association about four months ago and it just so happened a couple of weeks ago a local girl, Lily Wagg, it came out that she was in need of a liver transplant.”

The players spent the week making signs of support, as well as cookies and bracelets to sell as a fundraiser for the Wagg family.

“We’re supporting Lily because she needs a new liver,” said Cam Thomson, a Stars left winger.

Teammate Gunnar Shaw added, “We have the Transplant Association here, so we’re raising awareness.”

On the concourse, the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) had a table set up to provide information about living donation and how to sign up.

“The liver, we call it like the super organ because it does so much,” said Kathleen Zavarise, Ontario director of the CTA and a kidney and liver transplant recipient. “A portion of it [the liver] can be donated and it will regenerate for the recipient and the donor, so it’s a win-win. The person feels great being able to help save a life and it gives a person a second chance.”

The team planned to raise funds through several avenues.

“The concessions are helping us out with a portion of their proceeds coming to us,” said Shaw. “A bunch of the kids making bracelets and cookies all week as well as signs gearing up for this game. It’s been really empowering.”

In a message to CTV News, Ryan Wagg says his daughter Lily, 12, is still awaiting a donor. He adds he was appreciative for everything the Stars team did for his family.

“The outpour has been amazing,” said Zavarise. “I’m not even from this area but I can tell you that the story has been shared across the province and Canada. People in New Brunswick, in Nova Scotia are sharing it and resharing it. It’s just it’s gone widespread.”

Zavarise has a personal message for the Wagg family.

“Don’t give up hope because that match is out there,” she said.

Lily’s grandmother was in attendance and had tears delivering a brief pregame speech to the players.

“I hope you guys win,” she said.

On the ice, the Stars didn’t disappoint.

They would jump out to a 5-1 lead and hold onto win 5-4.

They also managed to raise more than $2,000 for the CTA and the Wagg family.