The family of Gerald Gagnier are happy with the turnout at a pair of blood donor clinics held last week, one in Wallaceburg and the other in Chatham.
Gagnier died on November 8 after suffering from an abdominal aneurysm.
He was 61.
Gagnier’s daughter Sarah Logan (formerly Sarah Harold) told the Sydenham Current the Wallaceburg clinic was more successful compared to the Chatham clinic.
“Overall we had a great turn out,” Logan said.
“We are up to approximately 30 donations in total. That doesn’t include approximately 10 more friends and family that came out with the intention to donate, but weren’t able to for various reasons.”
Logan said the territory manager for the Canadian Blood Services emailed her to say thanks.
“The Wallaceburg clinic saw 20 brand new, first time donors and they collected many more donations than they were expecting,” she said.
“Each time a satellite clinic is held, there is a goal set based on the community being served and the hours of operation. Separate from our own goal, the Wallaceburg clinic had a goal of 76 donations and they finished the day with 83.”
Logan said they are going to track donations online until they reach their goal of 80 units.
“Once someone signs up their donations for the entire year will count towards our goal,” she said.
“Anyone can log their donation as part of “Team Gagnier – In loving memory of Gerry” online with the Partner for Life ID: TEAM951311.”
People can sign up, here.
Logan added many people have made financial donations in lieu of a blood donation as well.
A celebration of life event for Gagnier was held at The Moose Lodge in Wallaceburg last Saturday, along with a ceremony at Riverview Cemetery in Wallaceburg.
“It feels so surreal that he is actually gone,” Logan said.
“We held a celebration of life for him on Saturday night in exactly the way he wanted… with stories, memories, laughs, food, drinks, dancing and only a few tears.”
Here are some photos of people who donated blood in honour of Gagnier last week in Wallaceburg:
