Emily (sister), Mike, Judy (mom) and Scott (stepfather)

Unlike many of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada volunteers, Mike Kennedy has not been touched personally by a brain tumour. As a chartered accountant for Deloitte and Touche, Mike learned about the organization through the annual Spring Sprint held in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2008, he participated in the event as a member of his office team and was one of 250 individuals who walked, ran or sprinted to show their support. "I was absolutely blown away by the energy I saw that day," Mike says warmly. "After talking with patients and families, I knew there was so much potential for me to reach out to this community. I wanted to do anything I could to help."

Over the past year, Mike has discovered that the more people he tells about the cause, the more people he meets who have been affected in some way. When the opportunity to fill the role of Halifax Spring Sprint Coordinator became available, he immediately knew that the position would be a perfect fit. As an avid competitor in triathlons and marathons, becoming involved with a community-based walkathon was only natural for Mike. As the group administrator, he leads the organizing committee, but above all, he says his biggest challenge is to manage the enthusiasm of the group or "bottle lightening" as he likes to describe. "Everyone’s passion is incredible," he says admirably, "I just have to point them in the right direction."

Mike believes that seeing the raised funds in action is the most rewarding aspect of his volunteer work: "I’ve been out to the support group meetings in my area and the impact that these services have for patients and families is truly amazing."