Registration at Ontario bank surges after singer tweets about one fan's need for a lung transplant.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> is a charitable guy. So when a fan of his reached out to him on Twitter to help spread the word about organ and blood donation, one particular bank quickly saw more and more people in the giving spirit. Belieber Helene Campbell, 20, tweeted the teen star last week about her own struggles (including how she herself needs a lung transplant). Bieber then began tweeting to her and about her, shedding more light on the cause than the fan could have ever anticipated. In the days since the online correspondence, the Ontario-based Trillium Gift of Life Network has seen donations skyrocket to more than 1,200 people, four times the amount the network usually receives. In part it had a lot to do with Bieber, but also the campaign started by Campbell, who suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. "Helene has done an incredible job inspiring and motivating Ontarians to register their consent to organ and tissue donation. On an average day we would expect about 50 new online registrations," President and CEO Ronnie Gavsie said in a statement on Wednesday (January 25). "Since Helene's campaign began last Thursday, the average has been closer to 200 per day! There are over 1,500 people in Ontario waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, on behalf of all them and Trillium Gift of Life Network, thank you Helene and thank you Justin Bieber!" Shortly after his initial tweet, she shared with him, "@justinbieber you have made a huge impact, not only on my life, but for many others in need of the gift of life now and in the future!" His response: "@alungstory glad to be able to help. best part of what i do." Bieber's other charity work includes his <a href="/news/articles/1673555/justin-bieber-believe-charity-drive.jhtml"><i>Believe</i> Charity Drive</a> as well as his participation with the <a href="/news/articles/1674628/justin-bieber-new-york-city.jhtml">Pencils of Promise foundation</a>.</p>
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