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Richmond resident honoured for being the 'lifeblood' of the community

A Richmond resident has been honoured by the Canadian Blood Services at a national ceremony in Ottawa for her contributions to the nations blood system.

A Richmond resident has been honoured by the Canadian Blood Services at a national ceremony in Ottawa for her contributions to the nations blood system.

The annual Honouring our Lifeblood ceremony held at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum recognized Kate Lekas, along with other donors, volunteers, partners and sponsors from across the country who provide a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of Canadians who need blood, stem cells, or organs and tissues.

Lekas is the recipient of the 2011 Honouring our Lifeblood peer recruiter award for the B.C. & Yukon Region. Lekas is responsible for managing the Partners for Life membership of her employer, the City of Vancouver, which entails liaising with Canadian Blood Services to recruit co-workers to donate blood.

While Lekas had been a blood donor for many years, there had been no formal partnership between the City of Vancouver and Canadas blood system until fall 2001, when attacks on New York Citys World Trade Center brought to light the importance of blood donation.

Within hours of the 9/11 attacks, we had employees and members of the public asking us to set up a blood donation clinic, Lekas said.

People were watching what happened and wanting to help in some way. While it was soon determined that blood was not needed by the United States, Canadian Blood Services reminded us that we need blood all of the time right here in Canada.

That realization prompted Lekas to join Canadian Blood Services group giving program as the City of Vancouver champion and has been managing the partnership ever since.

Since Oct. 2001, Lekas has been instrumental in arranging more than 2,000 donations from City of Vancouver employees.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of blood donors and volunteers, as well as more than numerous community groups, sponsors and partners, work together to help ensure that those needing blood receive it.

Without their time and generosity, Canadian Blood Services would not be able to provide the life-saving blood, stem cells, and organ and tissues required by patients from coast to coast.

To consider donating blood, visit www.blood.ca/eligibility or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).