BLOOD matters - Société Canadienne de l'Hémophilie

Commemorative
Tree
This year the NEOR is very pleased to have held its first Tainted Blood
Commemoration Ceremony on October 27 at the Tom Davis Commemoration
Forest along the Nature Chalet on South Bay Road in Sudbury. An Urban
Maple (the leaves turn a deep red) was planted along the lake shore. I look
forward to visiting this tree and watching it grow over the years to come.
The tree is an important symbol in nearly every culture. With its branches
reaching into the sky, and its roots deep into the earth, a tree symbolizes life.
For families who have lost a loved one, it can be a daily reminder that the
person is not forgotten, that his or her memory lives on.
It has often been said that the lessons learned in the Tainted Blood Tragedy
must not be forgotten and that the pain and suffering experienced by so many
must not be in vain. The Canadian Hemophilia Society (CHS) intends to ensure
that this does not happen by holding an annual National Commemoration of
the Tainted Blood Tragedy that will acknowledge those now silent victims.
October 27, 2010 was a cold and blustery day in Sudbury, Ontario with
90km winds off the lake and tree branches breaking off of surrounding trees.
We held our service with our heels dug into the dirt. I would like to extend
my thanks to all who dared to venture out on this day. Thank you to Michelle
for doing a reading and to John from 99.9 FM radio, and CBC for attending.
Thank you Carol Legault from BRAN-KOR Trophies and Engraving for the
beautiful plaque that was placed by the tree at the ceremony. Many thanks
to John and his staff at the Home Hardware in Levack for their help with
picking the right tree.
NEOR
Blood Matters Fall 2010 /29