2010 Scholarship and Bursary recipients

Mojtaba Khezry
Richmond Hill, Ontario

I am currently doing my M.Sc. Biophysics and University of Guelph; I am studying biofilm using biophysical tools such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). I am hoping my research with these modalities along with my course load will help me move forward in scientific research as a career and eventually into hemophilia-based research. I am honoured to be part of the TCOR Board of Directors, the Hemophilia Ontario youth group and last but not least to have input in our quarterly publication, BLOOD matters. Finally I am grateful to be one of the CHS 2010 scholarship recipients.




Ryan Kleefman
Strathroy, Ontario

Ever since I was a young child, I have been interested in science and loved helping people. Some time near the end of elementary school, that interest narrowed to biology and chemistry and I decided that I wanted to become a family doctor. For several years now, I have dreamed of one day pursuing such a career. However, the road of education to becoming a doctor is long and expensive. The scholarship awarded by the Canadian Hemophilia Society will go a long way to helping my dream come true. My heartfelt thanks goes out to the CHS and its sponsors.




Michael-Justin (M.J.) O’Grady
Burlington, Ontario

I am 18 years old and I have severe hemophilia A. Hemophilia has played a crucial role in my development as a person. It has helped me to become very active in a number of activities and organizations, particularly the hemophilia societies and YMCA Camp Wanakita.

I will be attending Dalhousie University in Halifax in September to study Engineering. I am very excited about this new phase of my life. I want to sincerely thank the Canadian Hemophilia Society for their support in awarding me the James Kreppner Memorial Scholarship. The money will go a long way in supporting me financially and will remind me that there are people who care about those of us living with bleeding disorders and who support us in our day to day lives.






Sarah Doran
York, Prince Edward Island

My name is Sarah Doran and I have been personally affected by hemophilia as I am a carrier. My father, Joe Doran and his brothers have been active in our PEI Chapter for a very long time and in many ways they have provided me with strength and determination.

I am currently in the Bachelor of Music Education program at the University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI. I am very involved in music and have been for as long as I can remember. I enjoy playing the saxophone, fiddle, singing and step dancing. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would do anything other than share my joy and gift of music by teaching it to others.

I would like to thank the Canadian Hemophilia Society for providing me with the opportunity to pursue my career as a music teacher and continue my dream of doing what I love to do.



Jeremy Lessmeister
Bowden, Alberta

I am 19 years old and was diagnosed with severe hemophilia at 5 months of age. There have been many physical challenges over the years including the development of inhibitors at 15 months of age. I started immune tolerance through the Northern Alberta Hemophilia clinic and fortunately was able to overcome the inhibitors after about two years. I had moved further south shortly after that and have been with the Southern Alberta Hemophilia Clinic ever since. I have two brothers. My older brother Andrew is not affected by hemophilia; however, my younger brother Mitchell, who is now 12 years old, is affected. I hope I have been and continue to be a good example for Mitchell and that I am helping to smooth the way for him.

I graduated from Bowden Grandview School in 2009 and have taken the past year to decide what I wanted to study. I chose Computer Sciences. I learned years ago that a career doing physical work would be very difficult and with my interest in computers it would be a good fit. I start at the Red Deer College this fall for two years and then will transfer to the University of Alberta to complete the Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology program. I have several areas that I would like to explore for my career, one of them being with the police in computer forensics. I would like to thank the CHS for this scholarship; it will help me to achieve my goals.



Graeme Melcher
Uxbridge , Ontario

I attend Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where I am entering into my third year of a history degree. I also serve as an editor of the Queen’s University weekly humour paper, Golden Words, after having spent a year and a half as a writer. During my high school years, I was able to play bass in several school bands, including a rhythm and blues band that toured parts of Europe. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to pursue one of my greatest passions, Canadian history, as a subject. I hope to become a university professor or a museum curator one day, or to work in any field involving lots of reading and writing.





Song Lin
Whitehorse, Yukon

I have been fighting severe hemophilia for more than thirty years. While living in China I had very limited care and several times experienced life-threatening bleeds but I survived, although with many consequences. After our immigration to Canada, my wife and I chose the Yukon to be our new home. We have settled down in this wonderful country and, despite many difficulties such as weather and language, we hope that happier days are just around the corner. I am enrolled in the Business Administration program at Yukon College. I am honoured to have been awarded the CHS James Kreppner Memorial Mature Student Bursary, which will help me a lot with my studies.

Thank you CHS!