When the Northlea Elementary and Middle School Blood Donor Clinic gets underway on April 9, 2014, the challenge will be out to young Leasiders right across the community. Those 17 and older are eligible to give the precious gift of blood. Every public-spirited person who does give, will do so in the name of people like Northlea student Emmy Duff and Noah Wolfe (inset right). Emmy was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1996 and a second time in November 2002. It was shocking news but there was even worse to come. The Northlea community reeled when one of Emmy’s schoolmates, Noah Wolfe, was diagnosed with the same disease within a week of Emmy’s second diagnosis. It was a catastrophe that echoed through every home. Registered Nurse and Northlea mom Anne Murray and her friends began to think about starting a blood donor clinic to help Emmy and Noah. But there was much skepticism that a simple elementary school could organize a successful blood clinic. Canadian Blood Services required a minimum of 80 pledged donors per clinic. Ms. Murray, her friends and neighbors went to work. At that first clinic, held in February 2003, a remarkable 206 people arrived. After necessary testing eliminated some, the Northlea start up clinic had collected 172 units of blood, more than triple the average collected elsewhere. Now, Ms. Murray and clinic marketing co-ordinator Maria Charlebois say, the challenge to maintain this life-saving work falls on the shoulders of those who follow. “I’m really hoping we will have a good showing from Leaside High School,” she says. The organizers are hoping that groups of parents and their teenage kids will find the time to participate. “Emmy had the courage to say yes to the idea of a blood clinic and to comprehend that others would benefit as well,” Anne Murray says. Now the Northlea Blood Clinic must hope that this spirit is still alive among those who knew Emmy and Noah. To make an appointment call 1-888-2-donate (366283). The clinic runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.at Northlea school, 305 Rumsey Road. on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. The clinic is held bi-annually in the Spring and Fall. It has become an important part of the collection process for Canadian Blood Services. Postscript: Emmy Duff died in September 2012, 16 years from the time of her first diagnosis. She leaves a legacy of courage and generosity that inspires the community to this day. Noah Wolfe is a student in university. His mom and dad, Anne and Steve Wolfe, are so proud of him.
