Celebrating Volunteer Champions Across Canada

Shining a spotlight on the extraordinary volunteers who fuel its mission, The Kidney Foundation of Canada recently took the opportunity to laud these effects during its Annual Virtual Recognition Awards.

From coast to coast, these changemakers have helped drive fundraising, advocacy, education, and community outreach to make a lasting impact on the millions of Canadians living with kidney disease and their families.

"Our volunteers are the heartbeat of this organization," said Elizabeth Myles, National Executive Director of the Foundation. "Their dedication, compassion, and leadership continue to shape a stronger future for kidney health in Canada."

2025 Volunteer Award Recipients:

Ornstein Award: Cindy Pope
Dossetor Research Award: Dr. Dylan Burger
Karley Patient Services Awards: Virtual Support Group Background Volunteers (Lisa Huhn, Joseph Gallagher, Jason Lumb, and Irwin Schweitzer, Andrew VanWyk)
Organ Donation & Transplantation Leadership Awards: Sylvie Charbonneau; Kristy Goss
Kidney Health Media Award: La Bande
Fund Development Impact Award: Gloria Zirk
Special Recognition Impact Awards: The Groom Family (David, Sharon, Lindsey, Zach, Branson, Spencer, and Taylor)
Ashenmil Legacy Award: Senator Tony Loffreda
Young Philanthropist Award: Alexandria Pope

During the ceremony, The Kidney Foundation also recognized several employees for outstanding contributions:

Fund Development Impact Award: 60th Anniversary Digital Fundraising Campaign Group (Kimberley Auciello, Antonietta Colavita, Julie Decker-Willer, Jennifer Heale, Wendy Kudeba, Bhavini Patel, Linda Pellas, Suzan Ramzy, Andrea Rennie, and Leanne Stalker)
Special Recognition Impact Award: Theory of Change Working Group (Sofia Kamran, Kurtis Krug, Jennifer Laliberté, Gilles LeVasseur, Rosanna Mitchell, Elizabeth Myles, Pia Schindler, Mary-Pat Shaw, Leanne Stalker, Carrie Thibodeau, and Julie Wysocki); Julie Wysocki
Bresinger Leadership Award: Carrie Thibodeau
Circle of Excellence Awards: Tamara Farhat; Philippe Vincent
National President’s Award: Linda Pellas

Learn more about our Recognition Programs.

Join us as a volunteer. Apply to explore current opportunities.

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