Emru
Animation lost a pal late last night…and more than that the world lost another good person. And I don’t mean that in a glib, he’s dead so let’s say only nice things sorta way. Emru Townsend was truly a good person. He was compassionate, sharing and positive to the point of making me uncomfortable (hey, that’s just me. It’s easier to be cynical). We weren’t buddies, pals, chums, bros, but we did know each other for about 12 years. I am forever grateful to Emru for being the first person to publish my writing on animation. It was in his beloved magazine Fps. I submitted a piece just for the heck of it and was quite pleased when Emru accepted it. It gave me confidence as a writer and told me that, hey, maybe this is a path I want to explore. So, selfishly, I thank you for that Emru.
What’s with animation losing good young people lately? Helen Hill. Wendy Jackson Hall. Emru Townsend. I guess the gods above, below and beyond don’t like the toons. Assholes. It’s not fair. It sucks.
Meantime… I send all things good to Emru’s family…and especially to Vicky, Max and Tamu.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pm e
So sad. Didn’t realise when I read your post this AM that this was Emru who was looking for a bone marrow donor. Heard him on CBC a while back talking about his search and about organ donation (a soft spot for us considering the BF’s heart transplant - and the BF knew him as well).
So, in honour of Emru, go sign your organ donor cards.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:15 pm e
Hi Chris,
Thanks. I really appreciated seeing this. I hope all these people we have lost are keeping each other company.
Hi Suzanne,
Organ and tissue donation is really important, and I am registered as an organ donor when I die.
However, becoming a stem cell or bone marrow donor requires signing up to an additional registry. Luckily it is easy: it just requires a blood sample, or, in most of North America, a cheek swab sample.