KidneyNews ONE STRONG VOICE
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The BC & Yukon Branch annual Awards Celebration marks an important opportunity to recognize and thank our many volunteers, supporters, members of the media and other community partners all of whom are so integral to helping us achieve our mission.
Annual Awards Evening
Honours its “Shining Stars”
BC & Yukon Branch Executive Director, Pia Schindler, acted as emcee for the evening and in her opening remarks said “We feel incredibly fortunate to have such a remarkable group of people in our kidney community—our shining stars—who help us, each and every day, support those affected by kidney disease. Our awards evening honours those across our kidney community who have come together with passion and energy, and with their time and talent to make a real difference in the lives of kidney patients.” While the awards evening formally recognizes only certain individuals for their specific contributions, we know that for each and every person who receives an award, there are hundreds more dedicated volunteers and supporters whose combined efforts help keep the Foundation on track and going strong. Pia concluded her remarks with “you help us shoot for the stars, even if we land on the moon. You give us lift off in everything we dream, and do”.
Congratulations to This Year’s Award Recipients
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Patient Support Award Don and Elaine Crawford – for over 18 years Don and Elaine have supported the Kidney Suites within Chelsea Tower, and have provided unwavering kindness to our post kidney transplant patients. *
Outstanding Leadership John and Verna Wiens —for their phenomenal financial support and leadership to The Kidney Foundation, including the Kidney Gala. *
Community Leadership Dr. Tony Chiu —for his outstanding leadership and support to kidney patients through various innovative initiatives, including O2P, and Participation to Wellness. *
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* The above award winners were unable to attend the Awards evening.
Community Ambassador Award
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Eileen Zheng —for her amazing dedication to the cause, promoting organ donor awareness and raising funds by cycling across Canada after donating her kidney to her mom. Elaine then went on and helped the BC & Yukon Branch launch a kidney bike event.
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Social Media Influencer Award Gertie Wong —for her commitment each and every day helping to spread messaging about kidney health and the importance of organ donation on Facebook. She is a shining example of a social media influencer.
Community Service Award
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Trish Creed and Jean Folkestad —for their compassion and leadership— these two ladies have made it their mission to help kidney patients in need through the Coffee Cart Program at the Tri-Cities Dialysis Unit, and have inspired others to do the same.
Innovation Award Andrea Bridger —for her sheer talent and ability to leverage technology which she used to introduce the Branch to a new innovative form of fundraising, raising over $6,000 for us in 12 short hours.
Community Leadership Maureen Hobbs —for her unstoppable passion and leadership! Maureen has done it all from supporting numerous Chapter events, to spearheading an organ donation initiative through the school of nursing, to organizing the Hobbs family’s highly successful “Kidneys on the Move” event which has raised in excess of $100,000 over 10 years.
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Community Ambassador
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Mohan Tatra —for his ongoing dedication and significant contributions promoting kidney health awareness and prevention within the South Asian community.
National Public Awareness Award SHAW TV —for their commitment to investing in community programming, SHAW TV, SHAW Multicultural and SHAW Direct were recognized for their incredible support helping encourage and stimulate increased public awareness of kidney health through PLUGGED IN. Accepting the award on behalf of SHAW was Mary Ruth Harris.
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Advocacy Award Ron Poole —for his guidance, strategic insight and passion to help take the Kidney Foundation’s “Saving Lives through Organ Donation” campaign to the next level.
Corporate Leadership Otsuka —this company has a long track record of corporate philanthropy but Otsuka’s impact on our kidney community has been amazing. This organization has gone above and beyond to support the Foundation in countless initiatives, making a difference in the lives of kidney patients. Accepting the award on behalf of Otsuka was Maxime Rouleau. > continued on page 6
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