|
Don Rix leaves a rich legacy, but LifeSciences BC’s boss recalls the willingness of the MDS Metro Laboratory Services founder to engage with anyone and consider new approaches Curt Cherewayko When Karimah Es Sabar became president of LifeSciences BC five years ago, one of the first phone calls she received was from Don Rix. “He told me: ‘If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to contact me – and I’ll be watching what you’re doing,’” Es Sabar recalled warmly. Rix died November 6 at the age of 78. But his status as one of B.C.’s most successful biotechnology entrepreneurs and one of Canada’s most prolific philanthropists ensures that his legacy will remain for years to come.
When Rix began his career as a medical practitioner more than 40 years ago, his sole aim was to improve the health of the community and make a modest living doing so. Near the end of his life, having more than accomplished both those tasks, Rix still felt there was more to be done. In 2006, he told BIV: “I’d like to leave a legacy of some startup companies in life sciences that were companies in their own right but also were doing something to help mankind.” At any single time, Rix chaired and mentored up to a dozen life sciences startups and was an investor in dozens of others. “He engaged you at a very human level,” said Es Sabar. “At his age, he was still ready to listen and look at new ways of doing things.” Rix’s notable business successes include founding MDS Metro Laboratory Services, a network of clinics now know as LifeLabs that provides more than 50 million laboratory tests to more than 10 million patients and nearly 20,000 physicians in Canada annually. He also founded Cantest Ltd., a multi-lab firm that tests soils, water, waste, pesticides, food products and air quality for multiple industries. Rix’s philanthropic contributions can be felt in the halls of research facilities across Canada, in junior tennis leagues and as far away as Cambodia where he was committed to helping the Khmer people. Es Sabar, who called upon Rix regularly for guidance, noted that he would always find time for any individual that needed his advice or support. “That was his biggest asset: he made himself accessible to anybody.” •
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
This article from Business in Vancouver November 17-23, 2009; issue 1047 |
