For four decades, Kenneth Poyser worked to improve the lives of those with hemophilia in Canada
and abroad while overcoming his own challenges with the disease. Kenneth (Ken) Poyser was born in Edmonton on July 27, 1945. He was born with severe factor VIII hemophilia at a time when the only treatment for hemophilia was ice and hospitalization. The life expectancy of someone born with hemophilia at that time was less than 12 years. In his youth, Ken suffered numerous joint bleeds, causing excruciating pain resulting in frequent and lengthy periods of hospitalization resulting in long absences from school. Ken did not let his illness deter him from achieving his goals, and in grade nine, he decided to work towards becoming an accountant. By the age of 17, Ken began to article as a Chartered Accountant, but due to a bleed, Ken was told he would not be able to handle the program and was fired. Being fired did not stop Ken from completing his articling, and five years later, he was awarded the Chartered Accountant designation in 1969 and began an outstanding and successful career. While Ken was in public practice, he began his involvement with The Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Hemophilia Society. Ken’s drive and leadership skills were obvious and his volunteer service was dedicated to improving the lives of people with hemophilia, both locally and all over the world. In 1968, Ken and Darlene were married and had one son, and at the age of 27, Ken designed and built the family home in Rio Terrace. Throughout their lives, Ken and Darlene were active members of the Rio Terrace Community Church. Ken served in volunteer positions on the District Board and was highly respected in the Moravian church in Canada. Ken organized numerous group tours and cruises in Europe, as well as many other excursions. From the early 1980s, Ken was determined to secure sufficient and safe blood concentrates for people in Canada with hemophilia. Ken became president of the Canadian Hemophilia Society and, during this time, recommended heat treating the blood component used to control hemophilia. Health Canada did not heed this advice until it was too late, and Ken became one of the thousands of hemophiliac victims of what became known as the “tainted blood tragedy”. Ken passed away on September 7, 2010.