The Peru Gazette

Roy Perry holds a Turkey Trot trophy

By John T. Ryan

On Thanksgiving Day Roy Perry worked as a Peru Lions Club member conducting the Turkey Trot. Certainly the people completing the Turkey Trot had a positive attitude to accomplish their goal. Perry must have felt right at home. On November 18th Roy Perry was inducted into the “Donation Hall of Fame” by CVPH’s North Country Regional Blood Donor Center. Perry was recognized for donating 152 pints of blood or over 19 gallons over the past thirty-three years. Perry was also recognized for his positive attitude about life and the joy he brings to others.  The Free Trader Today quoted CVPH lead phlebotomist Martha Alger praising Perry,  “You fill the room with your cheerful personality and your great outlook on life. You’re a true inspiration.”  Alger didn’t go so far as to relate Perry’s A+ (A positive) blood type to his outlook on life.

Many people in the Peru community experience Perry’s cheerful personality on a daily basis whether they encounter him while he’s taking his long walks through the hamlet or collecting mail at the post office. His smile and greeting are an uplifting moment of the day for many people. Perry’s outlook on life continues even after having received a prostate cancer diagnosis last February.  Perry says, “I underwent a radioactive seeding procedure in August and so far, so good.”  The cancer treatment has forced him to stop contributing blood, but he still visits the donor center staff regularly to say hello.  Of course, it’s also possible the donor center staff will offer him one of their delicious chocolate chip cookies. Perry says not being able to give blood is one of the worst things about his cancer diagnosis.  If he can remain cancer free for five years, he will be able to donate again at age 82.

In many respects Roy Perry has been a blood donor center community goodwill ambassador.  An elder in the Peru Community Church, Perry especially enjoys working with the youth. Amanda Connelly, a youth group leader at Peru Community Church commented, “Roy talked to our youth group about giving blood. Some of the young people had never thought about giving and some were afraid to give. After hearing Roy, several of the kids said, ‘I can do that!’” Connelly said that Roy’s positive attitude even motivated her to give blood for the first time in many years and her mother, likewise, decided to donate.

Other people have personal stories about how Roy Perry has played a significant positive role in their life stories. Roy Perry’s outlook on life has given him the ability to cheer and to inspire his fellow man.