Blood Drive for Stephen LeBlanc Saturday May 22

May 17, 2010

CWC Friend Needs Our Help

Steven LeBlanc

Central West Coast friend, former board member and owner of LeBlanc Studios (photography), Stephen LeBlanc has recently been accepted to receive a lifesaving liver transplant. He is currently staying at Tampa General Hospital.

Stephen's generosity is well known to the Central West Coast Chapter. While serving on the CWC board, he was the official CWC FPRA photographer and donated studio portraits to raffles and silent auctions. He also donated his time and talents to many other non-profits in our community, held seminars for young photographers at his studio and actively participated in his church. A sports enthusiast and family man, Stephen is proud of his two children.

Now, we have the opportunity to show Stephen and his family our appreciation for his support. Many years ago, before the screening and testing that are available today, Stephen was infected with Hepatitis C from a tainted blood donation. He has suffered liver problems over the years and now is battling liver failure.

A naturally gregarious, energetic and positive individual, it has come as a surprise to many in the Sarasota community to learn that Steve has suffered health conditions since birth; he has received numerous blood transfusions throughout his life. LeBlanc's Studio is holding an blood drive in his honor this Saturday, May 22 at 3103 Fruitville Road from 10am to 2pm.

The blood collected will not help Stephen directly, but it will help replace the volume of blood he has received, at a particularly trying time for community blood supplies (Memorial Day weekend). A LifeLink representative (the organ donation foundation) will also be on site to encourage people to sign up to be organ donors. This will not likely benefit Stephen directly either, but it will help someone unknown down the road who may be in Stephen’s situation. For more information, call Ginya Carnahan at 365-5599.

Please forward this and help spread the word. Thank you.