James Kreppner Celebration of Life
2009-08-13James Kreppner, renowned lawyer and AIDS/HIV activist, died May 14, 2009 at the age of 47 of complications related to HIV and hepatitis C contracted through a blood transfusion.
Kreppner was a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Blood Services, co-founder of the Canadian Treatment Action Council and one of the founders of the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation. He was on numerous other boards and committees including the Canadian Hemophilia Society and the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic (Ontario), each of which benefited from his legal expertise, drive and compassion for others. James was the recipient of many honours and awards for his tireless efforts during his too short life, including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal awarded by the Governor General of Canada, the City of Toronto Gardiner Award for Citizen of the Year, the Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) Special Award for his role in encouraging research in the field of Hepatitis C-HIV Co-Infection, the Canadian Association for HIV Research “Red Ribbon” Award for his work in AIDS advocacy and he was one of the first names put on the Ontario AIDS Network Honour Roll celebrating outstanding achievement in HIV/AIDS advocacy, but he always considered his ultimate reward the continuing ability to be able to do something that helped others.
Please join others in the celebration of a truely exceptional life.
James Kreppner
Friday, October 30, 2009
10am to 3pm
Brule Rooms B & C,
The Old Mill
21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario
Please RSVP to Antonia Swann at 416-203-1870 or by email at in_memory_of_james_kreppner@live.com
Unfortunately, I will be out of the country on Oct. 30th but wanted to send a comment on the celebration of James’s remarkable life. My son, Christopher was one of the first hemophiliacs to die of AIDS in 1987. I was totally devastated; my son was a wonderful person and I missed him so much. Then James and others were successful in obtaining the compensation package. This allowed me to accomplish a dream of going to University, getting my degree, becoming a teacher and teaching for 14 wonderful years. It also allowed me to retire with a good pension. I would give everything to have my son alive and healthy, but since this cannot happen I feel that my pension was a gift from my son that allowed me to have a fulfilling life. The courage and selfless persistence that James displayed in working to compensate the hemophilia community, really helped to change my life and I am sure this was true for others. My heartfelt thanks to a truly remarkable man.