JESSICA BONDAR

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JESSICA BONDAR In the early morning hours of April 13, 2011, Jessica passed peacefully in her sleep after a long, often painful, sometimes difficult, but always courageous struggle which began two years ago at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, and ended in Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital. A high school honours student who had a successful career in Winnipeg's Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps RCSCC Qu'Appelle, Jessica had hoped to go on to university into medicine or nursing. Unfortunately, this was not to be, as she was struck down by a rare viral infection in April 2009 which not only left her dependent on an external heart pump for survival, but also resulted in numerous other surgeries, blood transfusions, and a period of kidney dialysis. Ultimately, it was determined that Jessica required a heart transplant, and in September 2009 she was transferred home to Montreal to await one at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Had a successful transplant been performed, Jessica would have had an excellent chance at a normal, happy, and most likely very productive life. However, due to her rare blood type and petite size, her wait for a compatible organ was in vain and she succumbed to a series of sudden and catastrophic complications which were the direct result of her having been on a heart pump for so long. Despite all the obstacles in her path and the odds often being overwhelmingly against her, Jessica did not falter once in her courage or her determination to make every effort in her power to achieve a full recovery. In fact, Jessica was able (with the assistance of machines and attending medical staff) to attend (in a wheelchair) her high school graduation at Winnipeg's St. James Collegiate, less than two months after being unable to move, see, speak or breathe on her own. Very shortly after her graduation, Jessica, with the assistance and dedicated physiotherapy and occupational therapists, got up out of her wheelchair and learned to walk again. Amazingly, never once throughout an ordeal which most would no doubt find utterly crushing, was Jessica heard to say why me? or this is not fair. In fact, she became known throughout the Royal Victoria's cardiac ward as a comforter of others, spending many hours providing company to other patients, especially those with no family to visit them. As a result of her experience, Jessica had expressed her intention, upon recovery, to dedicate her future education and efforts to improving the state of organ donation in this country. She had hoped to not only raise awareness of what can clearly be a life or death issue, but possibly fight to enact legislation on the issue. Given Jessica's tireless spirit and optimism, not to mention her concern for others in spite of her own difficult circumstances, it is perhaps not surprising that love found a way to bloom for her even in a cardiac ward. Her childhood friend, Ryan Kramer, to whom we are forever indebted for countless hours he spent at her side, became her fiance. Jessica was looking forward to marriage and a European honeymoon, had she received a successful transplant. In addition to Ryan, Jessica will be missed by her mother Charlotte and stepfather Andre; father Stephen and stepmother Barbara; grandparents, Ken and Michele, and Wally; brothers, Nicholas and Bradley; sister Emma; stepbrothers, Nathan and Nicolas; uncle Tim; aunt April; cousins, Ashley, Austin, Cole and Gracie. Also missed by Ryan's mom, Donna, boyfriend Wes; father Paul; brother Matthew; sisters, Samantha and Erin, and countless family and friends. The family would like to thank all the people who tried to help Jessica in various ways throughout the past two years, and in particular the staff of the Royal Victoria and St. Boniface Hospitals. A viewing will take place today, Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Collins Clarke Macgillivary White Funeral Home, 307 Promenade Riverside, Sainte Lambert, QC with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 811 Campbell, Greenfield Park, QC. A memorial service will follow in Winnipeg at a later date. SIGN YOUR DONOR CARDS.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2011