Your local salesperson at
Your Local Ford Dealer
157 Talbot St. E. Leamington
Aaron Wiebe
www.petespaint.ca
1-888-378-6921
519-322-2555
Volume 9, Issue 6
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
www.southpointsun.ca
Local man marks 100th blood donation
KEEPING YOU
WARM AND COZY
THIS COLD WINTER • PLUMBING • HEATING • • HVAC SERVICES•
1 Iroquois Rd. Leamington
519-326-6054
Matthew Kettle (front row, third from left) marked his 100th blood donation on Feb. 7 at the Canadian Blood Services clinic at the Kinsmen Recreation Complex. He was joined by family and friends, including brother-in-law Dustin Vermast (front right) who decided on the spur of the moment to donate for the first time. They were joined by Matthew’s daughters, Harper and Brinley (front), and back row, Halliday Pearson, Dan McDowell, Holly Kettle, Nancy Kettle, Mary Johnston, Rob Johnston, Kelly Vermast and Terry Johnston.
Weekend Weather Thursday
H 3º L 1º
Friday
H 3º L -2º
Saturday
H 2º L -3º
Sunday
H 0º L -1º
As reported from Environment Canada www.weatheroffice.gc.ca Harrow AAFC
Matthew Kettle relaxes in the background, while brother-in-law Dustin Vermast becomes a blood donor for the first time, on the occasion of Matthew’s 100th donation. Assisting Dustin is Ashley Colenutt of Canadian Blood Services. (SUN Photos)
(;&(//(1&(
NEW CANADIANS’ CENTRE OF
³+RPH WR WKH :RUOG´
INC.
3UH (PSOR\PHQW :RUNVKRSV 5HVRXUFHV DQG ,QIRUPDWLRQ <RXWK -RE &RQQHFWLRQ 3URJUDP 6HFRQG &DUHHU &DQDGD 2QWDULR -RE *UDQW
2DN 6W (DVW 8QLW /HDPLQJWRQ 7HO
2XU VHUYLFHV DUH )5(( DQG RSHQ WR HYHU\RQH )XQGHG E\ )LQDQFp SDU
FREE
0RQGD\ WR 7KXUVGD\ DP SP )ULGD\V DP SP 6DWXUGD\V DP SP
By Pat Bailey Matthew Kettle is a hero. At 36 he has helped save many lives. I guess you could call him a superhero — his super power as simple as rolling up his sleeve. Matthew can thank his dad Larry for introducing him to their family tradition of sorts when Matthew was just 17. The father-son duo shared quality time donating blood for Canadian Blood Services. Twenty years later, Matthew marked a milestone on Feb. 7 with his 100th donation. While his dad has been forced to retire from giving blood following a heart attack 11 years ago, and just two units short of his 150th donation, Matthew continues the tradition. Knowing his father’s disappointment, Matthew said he plans to ‘carry on for his dad’. So on Feb. 7, Matthew headed to the blood donor clinic at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex just like any other ‘giving’ day. He was shocked when he was greeted by about a dozen family members ready to help celebrate his milestone. His wife Holly, daughters Harper, 6, and Brinley, 8, mom Nancy, as well as several members of their extended family, were on hand to mark the occasion. Larry, unfortunately, was out of town and unable to witness his son’s unwavering commitment to carrying on this family tradition. Also on hand was Matthew’s childhood best friend, Dustin Vermast, who now also serves as his brother-in-law after marrying Holly’s sister Kelly. Dustin had never given blood, or really even thought about it. On that Wednesday afternoon though, as he watched Matthew forge ahead with the process, he got to thinking — “If Matthew can do this, there’s no reason I shouldn’t start.” So while Matthew reclined with his sleeve rolled up and the blood flowed from his veins, Dustin was seated next to him, possibly beginning a new tradition, and while Matthew made his 100th donation, Dustin made his first. With their proud families watching, Matthew was a little overwhelmed by all the attention — the people, the cupcakes, the balloons and the press. His wife Holly, who happens to be a nurse, and mother Nancy though, were proud. Proud that Matthew continued the tradition his dad had begun, and especially proud of the role model he was for his young daughters. They watched the entire process and learned the importance of giving blood to help save the lives of others. According to Canadian Blood Services, it takes five donors to supply enough blood for a heart surgery, up to 50 donors to save the life of a car crash victim, up to five donors for a cancer treatment, and up to eight donors for a leukemia treatment. According to the Government of Canada’s website, only one in 60 Canadians gave blood last year, when almost one of every two Canadians were eligible to donate. It also said 52 per cent of Canadians say they have a family member who needed blood or blood products for surgery or a medical treatment. And according to Dustin, it really was no big deal — unless, of course, you happen to choose your brother-in-law’s 100th donation celebration for your inaugural donation, then there might be a little more fanfare than usual.
GOVERNMENT REBATES ARE BACK! 5 1 9 - 3 2 6 - 8 5 5 1
1964 Rd 3 East Kingsville (west of the new roundabout) Mon - Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm, Sat closed www.tmurrexteriors.com
Quality Windows and Doors Exceptional Value
CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE
WE WORK ALL YEAR ROUN
D!