Celebrating our 2024 Volunteer Award Winners!
We would like to express our profound gratitude for the tireless dedication of our volunteers across the country. Our volunteers create a network of care, compassion, and co-operation that we are honoured to be a part of. Cheers to our remarkable 2024 volunteer award winners, whose efforts continue to inspire us all!
David Kelly Award for Community Service
The David Kelly Award for Community Service is awarded annually to an individual or group that exemplifies the spirit of community service in support of Canada’s brain tumour community. It acknowledges the contributions of volunteers and community members beyond the normal scope of service.
This award, previously the Chair’s Award for Community Service, has been renamed in honour of brain tumour advocate and fundraising leader David Kelly, from Fredericton, N.B., who passed away in 2014.
Congratulations to our 2024 David Kelly Award for Community Service recipient, Jason Kaszycki!
Jason Kaszycki
Husband, dad, avid golfer, and brain tumour survivor Jason Kaszycki celebrates the anniversary of his brain tumour surgery each year with a golf fundraiser. Since his first event in 2014, Jason has raised more than $50,000 towards brain tumour research. Read more about Jason Kaszycki here.
Volunteer of Distinction Awards
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Volunteer of Distinction Awards are given every year to volunteers who embody the spirit of volunteerism. They are leaders and ambassadors who give freely of their time and energy to help reach every Canadian affected by a brain tumour through support, education, information and research.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Volunteer of Distinction Awards, Stéphanie Morissette, Mary Rawlings and Stu Rawlings!
Stéphanie Morissette
Stéphanie has navigated a road no parent wants to find themselves on, following her daughter’s diagnosis with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Though DIPG eventually claimed her daughter’s life, Stéphanie continues to fight in her memory. Read more about Stéphanie Morissette and her daughter, Florence here.
Mary Rawlings
Mary became a caregiver and advocate for her husband, Stu, through his journey with a brain tumour diagnosis. She found community by participating in a virtual support group for caregivers, eventually taking on a volunteer co-facilitator role. Read more about Mary Rawlings here.
Stu Rawlings
As Stu recovered from surgery following his brain tumour diagnosis, his challenges included not being able to swallow or speak. He regained confidence and strength through his participation in a virtual support group and became a volunteer co-facilitator soon after. Read more about Stu Rawlings here.
Health Care Professional Award
The Health Care Professional Award was created in 2020 to recognize individuals in the health care field who have shown exemplary and compassionate care to the brain tumour community. As an organization, we rely on health care professionals to help guide our supports, reach those who are in need, and collaborate on important resources and programs.
Congratulations to our 2024 Heath Care Professional Award recipient, Kelly Bullivant!
Kelly Bullivant
Kelly’s care, compassion and knowledge have not only made an impact on the patients and families she helps, but also on young adult brain tumour survivors looking to further their education. As a neuroscience nurse practitioner and long-time committee member of BTFC’s Youth Education Awards, Kelly has made a difference in many lives. Read more about Kelly Bullivant here.
