Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital 2011 Circle of Honour Awards

The Circle of Honour Awards are Holland Bloorview's highest honour - recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of childhood disability. Each recipient has demonstrated leadership in the advancement of the field of childhood disability on provincial, national or international levels. Holland Bloorview is proud to welcome these six new recipients into our Circle of Honour.

Jerzy Antczak, Bill Johnson and Michael Cullen – Service : Known as the problem solvers, this team specializes in creating adapted electronic devices to increase independence and safety for people with disabilities in daily living, including call bells, lights, computers, door openers, cell phones, and much more.

Karen Shopsowitz - Advocacy: Karen is an award-winning filmmaker who shares her passion for the camera to help raise awareness of childhood disability and boost kids' confidence. Partnering with staff from Holland Bloorview and SickKids in 2007, Karen created Teen Film Day, a film workshop for teens with facial differences that is now used as a model for other organizations.

Caron Gan - Education: A highly respected couple and family therapist, Caron understands the profound impact that an acquired brain injury (ABI) has on individuals, families and their communities. Caron was instrumental in developing a two-day intensive workshop that trains clinicians who provide family therapy to adolescents with ABI and their families.

The Sanfilippo Children's Research Foundation – Research: Founded in 1999 by Elisabeth and Randall Linton, the Sanfilippo Children's Research Foundation (SCRF) is the first group in Canada to actively fundraise to find a cure or treatment for Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare, degenerative childhood condition that affects the Lintons' daughter, Elisa.

The Harold E. Ballard Foundation - Philanthropy: Founded in 1993, the Harold E. Ballard Foundation's mission is to address social problems at their roots and to make a difference for those most vulnerable among us. The Foundation has donated nearly $700,000 to Holland Bloorview, funding the purchase of vital medical equipment and three customized wheelchair vans.

Vito and Sandra Bigioni - Philanthropy: The Bigionis have been bringing their daughter Emily to Holland Bloorview since she was three years old. Four years ago, when funding for Holland Bloorview's March Break Creative Arts Respite Camp was in jeopardy, the Bigionis took on the challenge to raise funds to sustain the program.

The awards were presented at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital at the annual Celebration of Excellence for Childhood Disability on June 15, 2011. During the event, Holland Bloorview's President and CEO, Sheila Jarvis highlighted a few of the hospitals proudest achievements over the past year and unveiled this year's Hospital Annual Report.