Step By Step is a charity established by George Marcello in 1996

In 1997, after receiving a life saving liver transplant,
he started walking across Canada (12,000 km) to thank his anonymous donor
On June 13 2000, he received the famous Torch Of Life by an anonymous donor
On Septemeber 5 2001, he was asked to bring the Torch to Vatican City,
where Pope John Paul II blessed it, and called organ & tissue donations a
Genuine Act Of Love and wisely encouraged the young people to carry its message
Since then, we have referred to our charity as the Torch of Life

George's walk shattered the world's perception
that organ transplants was voodoo medicine and advanced this issue in many ways
In 2004, our famous 13 year old Kristopher Knowles,
and thousands of young people from Canada & USA
afterwards have championed the Torch through thousands of
cities & towns in their respective communities.
On March 2, 2012, twenty year old Palestinian Khaled Khatib began
& carried it through 72 cities & towns in Ontario
In Toronto, June 19 2012, on his last day of the walk Khaled
passed the Torch to 20 year old Israeli Yael Gladstone
Their stories reached the world and were supported by world leaders.
In Jenin, Palestine, November 2005, Khaled's 12 year old brother Ahmed was shot
 by an IDF Soldier and died, he joined his family in donating his organs to Israeli children.
In Tel Aviv, Israel, September 2002, Yael's 19 year old brother Yoni died by a Palestinian Suicide Bomber and her family donatied his kidney to a Palestinian young girl.
We believe by having  young champions promote organ & tissue donations,
they can save many lives & inspire hope and bring the world a little bit closer

 

 Step By Step Intro

 Torch Of Life Intro

In Memory of Ahmed & Nicholas 

In Memory of Ahmed & Yoni

 George brings Torch Of Life
 St Pope John Paul 2 Sep 5 2001

George sings & dances to

Prime Minister Harper May 4 2012

George inspires Ontario

Premier Dalton McGuinty Jan 2008

George raises $$$120 million with 
Premier Michael Harris Oct 23 1999

 George's Support Letters

USA & Canada Government 

George inspires all 4 Parties

at Parliament Hill

 


Since 1997 until 2014, Step By Step created thousands of events in cities & towns stretching across Canada, USA, Europe & the Middle East

Millions of people got involved, including Media, Government & Celebrities

As well, Step By Step led the charge since 1997 in developing improvements to organ polices & as a result of years of relentless determination, new laws & additions were made.


from Dr. Richard Darling (CEO Fair Foundation) www.fairfoundation.org 
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. 

from Lori Abittan (CEO Mulitmedia Nova)
His work in the past 14 years have forever left a mark in the history of organ & tissue donations, In 1999, he inspired the Province of Ontario and helped create a 120 million dollar fund for organ & tissue donations and helped improve many laws. Pope John Paul, after blessing the Torch of Life, said let the children carry it. Faithfully George has carried this wish out for the past 10 years, empowering thousands of students throughout Canada & the USA. In 2009/2010 USA Senators, Governors, Transplant surgeons have called George the most remarkable person to advance Organ & Tissue donations in the world. 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 & 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 & tissue donors, the world would be that much closer.


Step By Step Cities & Towns throughout the world

Media Coverage - 1997-2014

Queen's Park City Hall Parliament Hill


Step By Step Campaigns - 1997-2014

Step By Step 1st Campaign  Toronto Ottawa Walk

Step By Step 2nd Campaign Ontario Walk

Step By Step 3rd Campaign Canada 769 Day Walk 

Step By Step 4th Campaign Kristopher's Wish

Step By Step 5th Campaign European Tour

Step By Step 6th Campaign SOS4000 

Step By Step 7th Campaign SOSTheAmericas

Step By Step 8th Campaign "I See No Colour"

Step By Step 8th Campaign Arizona 98

Step By Step 8th Campaign Shaheem

Step By Step 8th Campaign Reg Green

Step By Step 8th Campaign Donor Dads

Step By Step 8th Campaign Register Now Ontario

Step By Step 8th Campaign Anthony's Hero 

Step By Step 8th Campaign Kayla's Wish


 

 Canada 150 Torch Relay

Celebrating Canada's 150th Birthday (click file)

canada 150 2.pdf canada 150 2.pdf
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Type : pdf
Watch live streaming video from sostheamericas2009 at livestream.com

          Step By Step SOS4000                                                               sostheamericas

                                     

            George Marcello                   

Click here to become a live donor

Register your consent to become a organ & tissue donor in Ontario 

with ServiceOntario & www.beadonor.ca 

And with
9905_bm_logo_eng_fa.jpg
www.onematch.ca

Other provinces in Canada
Click here for a list by province

In the United States
Click for Donate Life America or Organdonor.gov

Click here for a list, by country, of Blood Donor and Organ Donor Information