Garry Anderson was swept up in the tremendous community response in 1987 when Bruce Denniston was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Everyone got involved.

I went to school with Bruce Dennistons daughters, and lived in the same neighbourhood, Garry says. I remember the fundraisers.

Today, Garry is president of the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society. Now the memory is getting scattered, and I worry that the name will be lost or wont mean as much. Many of the people who influenced and created the Society are retired or moving away.

Twenty-five years ago Bruce Denniston was described as the type of personality that everyone wishes he could have a share in. He was a loyal friend to many, a sportsman, and had more hobbies than most. He and his wife Joanne had three children and were active and popular in the community.

Bruce was diagnosed with myelocytic leukemia, a cancer of the blood-forming organs which seriously reduces the bodys ability to fight infection. He was 36 and had only missed one day of work in his 14-year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He was told his best chance for recovery was a bone marrow transplant, but his siblings did not have the correct type of bone marrow.

Bruce needed help and Powell River people wanted to help him. They soon recognized a need for more unrelated bone marrow donors, and set about to improve the system for everyone.

Powell Rivers enthusiasm boosted the Canadian registry of unrelated bone marrow donors to a level where it could combine with the lists of other countries and thereby an international match was found for Bruce. The complete story, from hockey games to haircuts is available on the societys website.

When Bruce received the transplant the town rejoiced, but the roller-coaster of emotions continued with news that the chemotherapy that Bruce had undergone to prepare for the transplant had seriously weakened him. And, on February 12, 1989, Bruce died of liver and kidney failure.

RCMP Staff Sergeant Ron Mangan said at the time that the shock and sorrow were tempered with a degree of hope and pridehope that others being diagnosed with leukemia will now have access to an enlarged bone marrow bank. I think Powell River is a proud town, proud of Bruce and proud of their participation in the endeavour.

The work of the Bruce Denniston society continues in that legacy. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by blood-related illnesses and ensure a legacy so those who have gone before are not forgotten. In the past decades the society has led numerous fundraising events, donated to hospital upgrades, and supported Powell River residents when they received bone marrow transplants.

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Remembering Denniston

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