Dr. Shelly Sarwal and Randy Tresidder

Halifax, NS

The late Dr. Shelly Sarwal and her husband, Randy Tresidder, are the first recipients of the Logan Boulet Award.

After being diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA), an incurable disease, Shelly — a physician — chose to undergo the recently legalized Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) procedure and become an organ donor. As the first person in Nova Scotia to undergo this complicated medical journey, she dedicated her final months to educating health professionals and the public about being in control of your death and creating a meaningful legacy through organ donation. 

“She wanted to be a pioneer,” Randy says.

Shelly and Randy opened their lives to a documentary filmmaker to tell the story of Shelly’s journey through MAID and organ donation. Her Last Project has aired on CBC and screened at several film festivals across Canada.

On Aug. 31, 2018, Shelly died peacefully with Randy at her side, after saying goodbye to her closest friends with toast and tea. Her organ donation was a gift that impacted many lives. Her Last Project continues to fulfill Shelly’s wish to educate medical professionals about the patient experience, as well as to educate the public about organ donation and MAID. The film is available for streaming on CBC Gem.

When asked what the Logan Boulet award means to him, Randy is humble. “What it means to me is pride in Shelly and her work,” he says.