“CANFAR is pleased to honour so many who have dedicated their time, energy, and resources to the fight against HIV and AIDS, and in particular to supporting this fight through research,” said Christopher Bunting, CANFAR President.
“The outstanding support of these individuals and organizations—along with our partners and friends across the country—has led to advances in treatment that have transformed HIV from a death sentence, helped raise awareness for testing and prevention, and contributed to the fight against stigma.”
Among those honoured by CANFAR were Donna and Gary Slaight of the Slaight Family Foundation. They received Bluma Appel Lifetime Achievement Award. The late Bluma Appel founded CANFAR, and was a noted philanthropist and volunteer who was awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada in 2001.
Since 2008, the Slaight Family Foundation has supported numerous national charities aimed at protecting human rights and improving health outcomes of marginalized people and youth. Last year the Slaights supported CANFAR’s educational programming through a $1-million donation over four years to increase awareness of HIV among vulnerable youth populations in Canada.
Outstanding Support Award Recipients 2017:
BLUMA APPEL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Donna and Gary Slaight (Slaight Family Foundation)
CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Nada Ristich (BMO Financial Group)
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Sylvia Mantella (Mantella Corporation)
PRESIDENT’S NOD AWARD
Kavita Israni-Winger
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Armando Mendonca
AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Todd Kjargaard (Jackie O Floral Affairs and Event Design)
Shawn Hewson (Bustle Clothing)
John MacBride (Seneca College)
CANFAR EVENT AWARD
Air Canada (Bloor Street Entertains)
RED RIBBON AWARD
Molly MacKenzie (CANFAR Club President – Dalhousie University)
RISING STAR AWARD
Sophie Hamr (30 Under Thirty)
Michael Hemsworth (30 Under Thirty)
Michael Gennis (Ottawa Legacy Co-Chair)
Jason Sordi (Ottawa Legacy Co-Chair)
In addition to the awards, 11 volunteers were recognized for their outstanding support to CANFAR in 2016:
Faduma Ali, Lauren Butler, Afrin Chowdhury, Rana Kamhawy, Anton Lunyov, Michael Manno, Vasiliki Marapas, Brent Murphy, Amir Shafie, Sivakamy Thayaalan, and Alyssa Volk.
“CANFAR is pleased to honour so many who have dedicated their time, energy, and resources to the fight against HIV and AIDS, and in particular to supporting this fight through research,” said Kyle Winters, CANFAR Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re so deeply grateful to all of our award recipients, and to the entire community that supports the work of CANFAR.”
CANFAR has recognized the outstanding supporter of people in the HIV and AIDS community since 2007.