F.A.N.

 The Fluoride Action Network received sad news from New Zealand this week.  We learned of the passing of long-time fluoride free campaigner Don Church of Ashburton, New Zealand. Outside of his extensive work on fluoridation, Mr. Church was a retired Charted Accountant, a professional Trustee, a husband, and father. 

Some of Mr. Church's work can be viewed in FAN's News Archive, including his 2014 open letter and advertisement to residents of Mid-Canterbury calling out and revealing misinformation shared by fluoridation proponents. 

While I never had the distinguished pleasure of meeting him, FAN's former Director and current Science Advisor, Paul Connett did spend time with him on a number of occasions, even staying at his home during trips to speak on fluoridation. Paul shared the following message:

I'm very sad to hear this news.  Don was a wonderful man and fluoridation fighter. Mark has written a very moving and insightful review of his fluoride work and his sense of humor. I stayed in his home in Ashburton (and in Christchurch)  at least three times and once with my wife Ellen. He and his wife were wonderful hosts. His campaigning and generosity is everything that Mark has described. A great loss to the movement and to his many colleagues and co-workers.

We at FAN second the sentiments shared by Paul above and by Mark Atkin of Fluoride Free New Zealand below, an organization that Mr. Church volunteered with since its formation 20 years ago.

Thank you, 

Stuart Cooper
Director
Fluoride Action Network