Youth Education Award Recipient 2013

Michael Ferrara, 17 (Fonthill, ON)

Pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Diagnosed with an anaplastic ependymoma at 10 years old, with recurrence at 11

Education Award generously funded by Onorio (Henry) and Lina Iacobelli

“After going through my experience with brain tumours, I just wanted to be ‘normal.’ Now I have found out that in life, normalcy is relative. I may have had to stop playing hockey and deal with many things that I would never wish upon another person, but I would never let this stop me from living a ‘normal’ life. When people ask me about the bald spot on my head, I tell them my story with pride. And while this journey has drastically changed my life, I will not let it get in the way of achieving my dreams of being a mechanical engineer.

I’m so excited to have the chance to go to school this fall – not something most kids my age would likely say. It’s something new and different for me, and I know it will help me move forward in my life.”