December 15, 2020 – On Saturday, Dec. 5, D-Rek’s Warriors,
led by local activist Derek Canas, showered Southeast Georgia Health System
with over 200 brand new toys for
pediatric patients.
Canas, a n HIV-AIDS activist who was diagnosed with HIV following a blood
transfusion in 1985, clearly recalls being sick as a child and spending
countless days in the hospital. Those days added up to nearly three years
of his childhood. Driven by the desire to give back and the determination
to bring joy to hospitalized children, he organized a toy drive with assistance
from fellow D-Rek’s Warriors.
“Derek is a blessing,” said Krista Robitz, director, Development,
Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation. “His dedication and
hard work made this toy drive a huge success. Derek created an online
giving platform for the drive so the pandemic would not interfere. The
Health System, our pediatric patients and their families are very grateful
for Derek.”
The visit included a special appearance from the Grinch who spread cheer
and joy to staff and residents at the Health System’s
Senior Care Center and
Emergency Care Center.