In Memory of Les Leider
Donate To This CampaignJoin us in remembering a beloved colleague, friend, husband, father, and brother.
All gifts made from September 15 - October 31 will be generously matched, up to $3,000, by longtime friend and neighbor, Jerry Wohlers.
Les had a large and friendly personality with a smile and encouraging word for everyone he met. He was proud of his work; helping build, redesign, and improve hospitals and medical facilities across the nation. Highly respected for his expertise and passion, he worked in every healthcare system in the Twin Cities. But more importantly, he never missed a chance to share his humor, compassion, and love for colleagues, friends, family, and even strangers.
He understood, professionally and personally, how important the gift of life-saving blood is and how challenging it is to have the expertise and resources to provide it to all those who need it. While he supported many humanitarian efforts, the American Red Cross was especially important to him. Even when he could no longer donate blood, he volunteered at blood drives and spoke to groups and individuals, sharing how the need for blood is so constant and critical - and how people in our community and across the country rely on the Red Cross to meet this critical need. He not only helped make others aware, but encouraged them to be engaged donors and advocates themselves.
The Red Cross is making a substantial investment in the community by renovating the current biomedical facility in St. Paul with a new, state-of-the-art Blood Donor Center, as well as creating innovative office, training, and convening spaces. The Blood Product Processing Room is where donor platelets go to be processed on their way to so many wonderful recipients like Les. He relied on platelets and other blood products to help him have 10 more years of life!
With your support we intend to raise $15,000+ to name the Blood Product Processing Room in memory of Les. This seemed to be a fitting choice to honor him.
If you’d like to help us honor Les’ memory, please consider making a gift to American Red Cross blood services to support this effort.
To make a donation online click the “Donate to this Campaign” button. You may also mail a check to the Minneapolis Office: American Red Cross, Attn: Financial Development, 1201 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Checks should be payable to “American Red Cross”. Note in the memo “In Memory of Leslie Leider”
Les's Celebration of Life Service was held at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Stillwater on August 6, 2021. His Michigan Celebration of Life will be held on September 18th. See Caring Bridge for updates.