Janis Babson

Janis Anne Babson (1950-1961) was a 10 year old Canadian child, whose gained posthumous fame through the donation of her eyes for cornea transplants. Her story was outlined a newspaper article syndicated across Canada that later prompted two books and other memorials.
When Janis died of leukemia in 1961, cornea transplantation was state of the art, unlike today, when a variety of organs can be donated. While fairly common for parents who lose young children to donate some of their organs to others, Janis' bequeath was significant because the giving of her eyes upon her death was her idea and not that of her mother and father.
White Cane Week
When Janis was younger and healthy, she saw a television program sponsored by the Eye bank. Viewing the program was pure happenstance. A young girl with a deep passion for horses, she loved watching the . When her youngest brother fell asleep on her lap, not wanting to wake him, she remained in front of the TV when a White Cane Week special aired. The program hosts explained how some blindness could be cured by the availability of corneal donations, restoring the recipients' eyesight. Following the program, a tearful Janis informed her parents that when she died, she wanted to donate her eyes to give the gift of sight to others. Her parents, Harry Rudolphe (Rudy) Babson, a Canadian Mountie and her mother, Rita Quinn Babson knew that their sensitive and giving child was serious about the gift, but felt that Janis had many years remaining in her life and such a gift could be decades away.
Diagnosis of Leukemia
In early 1958, when she was 8 years old, her mother noticed that Janis seemed to lose energy and her appetite. They decided to take Janis to the family practitioner. Noticing a large concentration of white blood cells from a sample he took, he recommended a specialist be consulted. In March, Janis was admitted to the Ottawa Civic Hospital for additional tests.
After the tests were all completed, it was determined that Janis was suffering from a Sub-Acute form of Leukemia. In the 1950's and 60's, Leukemia was universally fatal and Janis was giving maybe a year, possibly a little more to live. As it turned out, Janis responded well to treatments that would slow down and retard the advance of the leukemia, but not cure it. Overall, Janis survived some 26 months after the initial diagnosis.
Death
Janis' condition deteriorated in 1961 as the leukemia advanced. She was hospitalized twice and released to return home. In early May, the third admission to the hospital would be her last. Janis Babson died in her parents arms at 9:25 pm (EST) on Friday, May 12,1961.
All through her illness, Janis continually reminded both of her parents of the promise she had made regarding the donation of her eyes. Her parents' original reluctance gave way when her father Rudy signed consent forms for the donation of Janis' eyes just hours before her death.

Janis was buried the following Monday in Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa Her entire school attended the Catholic mass. One great fear that Janis had was that after dying, she would be forgotten. That was not to happen.
Legacy
Janis's best friend moved away from Ottawa. When her family was interviewed by the local paper as part of a get to know you neighbors feature, young Tricia Kennedy announced that her best friend died of leukemia and donated her eyes to the Eye Bank in Toronto. The reporter was so impressed, he contacted the Ottawa Journal (no longer in publication). A young reporter named Tim Burke contacted the Babson family and asked if he could write a story about Janis and her gift. The Babson's consented and on May 31,1961, the article "Little Janis" appeared in the paper under Burke's "Under the Hill" column.
The response was overwhelming. From then Ottawa Mayor Charlotte Whitton to a retired pharmacist, Abe Silver who created an endowment to the Hebrew National University, to groups and individuals who set record numbers of pledged donations to the Eye Bank, Thus Janis' story started out on the journey to be an inspiration to millions.
In 1962, the first of two books on Janis's short, yet remarkable life, Janis of City View (Holy Cross Press) by Rena Ray was published. The following year, author Lawrence Elliott, a frequent contributing writer to Reader's Digest, published a another book, A Little Girl's Gift (Holt, Rinehart and Winston). Six months prior to the release of the book, a condensed version appeared in the June 1963 edition of the Reader's Digest under the title, The Triumph of Janis Babson.
A large-cupped Daffodil, pure-white, broad-petaled with pretty pink rims was named after Janis as a tribute.
Modern Tributes
The advance of the internet has spawned several websites dedicated to Janis Babson's memory. In addition, her family (mother and siblings) are planning to create a Facebook site where many whose lives were touched by young Janis can leave comments and posts. A 50th Anniversary tribute arranged by the Babson Family is being held on May 27, 2011 in Ottawa to commemorate the half century since Janis's death. It will feature author Lawrence Elliott (along with a commemorative republication of 1963's A Little Girl's Gift and artist Caroline Langill (Custody of the Eyes) among the guests.

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