Congratulations to our 2024 Youth Education Award Recipients
Helping Young Survivors Pursue Their Passions
For many young adults, heading off to college or university is a natural next step. But for survivors of a pediatric brain tumour, this milestone can come with additional hurdles—medical, emotional, and financial. The path to post-secondary education may be filled with challenges, yet these young individuals continue to push forward with strength, resilience and ambition.
Thanks to the generosity of donors across the country, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is proud to support young survivors through the Youth Education Awards, a program designed to help turn dreams into reality. Since 2013, these awards have helped ease the financial burden for students navigating life after a brain tumour diagnosis, giving them the opportunity to focus on their goals and pursue their passions.
We are thrilled to introduce the recipients of our 2024 Youth Education Awards, exceptional young people who inspire hope through their determination and vision for the future. Their stories are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we invest in the next generation of survivors.
Will Burleigh (Grimsby, ON)
Pursuing Bachelor Kinesiology at Brock University
Diagnosed with an anaplastic meningioma at age 7
Generously funded by Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada donors
Kyle Giesbrecht (Cranbrook, BC)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, College of the Rockies
Diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma at age 19
Generously funded by Kumar Classic
Sadie Kline (Calgary, AB)
Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation, University of Calgary
Diagnosed with a ganglioglioma at 4 years old
Generously funded by R. Angus King Legacy Fund
Erika Leiher (Kitchener, ON)
Bachelor of Science, University of Guelph
Diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour at 2 years old
Generously funded by Kumar Classic
Joe Jinhua Liang (Richmond Hill, ON)
Computer Systems Technology, Sheridan College
Diagnosed with a medulloblastoma at age 15
Generously funded by Eileen McDevitt Estate
Noah MacIsaac (Greenfield, NS)
Bachelor of Arts, Dalhousie University
Diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma at age 16
Generously funded by Eileen McDevitt Estate
Joshua Middleton (Burlington, ON)
Urban and Regional Planning Technician, Mohawk College
Diagnosed with a pituitary macroadenoma at age 15
Generously funded by Go Grey London
Tyler Patterson (Burlington, ON)
Plumbing Technician, Sheridan College
Diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma at age 3
Generously funded by Deys Fabricating
Sara Stapleton (London, ON)
Early Childhood Education, Fanshawe College
Diagnosed with metastatic pineoblastoma at age 3
Generously funded by Deys Fabricating
Allie Tobler (New Liskeard, ON)
Techniques and Administrative Affairs, College Boreal
Diagnosed with an hypothalamic low grade glioma at 5 years old
Generously funded by Donors of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, in honour of Susan Marshall