Anaphylaxis Canada would like to congratulate the recipients of the third annual Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award: Daniela Deschamps (Oakville, ON) and Lindsay Schnarr (Markham, ON). Daniela and Lindsay were selected from a number of excellent applicants for their demonstrated commitment to raising awareness and educating others about severe allergies.
Daniela is 18 years old and entering her first year of studies at Queen’s University. She believes that living with allergies has taught her confidence and maturity. She has drawn on her experiences to educate friends, classmates, teammates, teachers, and others by speaking to them about allergies, demonstrating the use of epinephrine auto-injectors, and running an “adopt an allergy” day. She has also been an active member of Anaphylaxis Canada’s Youth Advisory Panel, for which she has written newsletter articles, recorded podcasts, developed and delivered youth conference presentations, spoken to parents of allergic children, and participated in an epinephrine auto-injector focus group.
Lindsay is 19 years old and entering her third year of studies at the University of Guelph. She believes that living with allergies has contributed to her outgoing nature and passion for educating others. She has volunteered in a food allergy research lab and as a lay reviewer for an allergy research network, providing feedback on research proposals from the perspective of an allergic individual. She has developed a campus club for allergic students, which she will be launching in September. She has also been an active member of Anaphylaxis Canada’s Youth Advisory Panel, for which she has written newsletter articles and blog entries, developed and delivered youth conference presentations, spoken to parents of allergic children, and volunteered at Ask the Allergist sessions.
Anaphylaxis Canada would like to thank all of the award applicants for their initiative, creativity, and commitment to raising allergy awareness and educating others in their communities. We received many excellent applications from across the country, and selecting recipients was not an easy task.
The Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award is dedicated to the life of Sabrina Shannon, an inspiring teenager who suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction in 2003. During her life, Sabrina worked to raise allergy awareness by creating the first-person radio documentary, “A Nutty Tale,” which aired on CBC radio in 2001. Since her passing, Sabrina’s parents and other members of the allergy community have kept her spirit alive by advocating for allergy-safe schools and communities. In 2005, Sabrina’s Law was passed in Ontario, providing landmark legislation that has influenced anaphylaxis policies in schools across Canada.
We are proud to honour Sabrina’s memory with this award and the Sabrina Shannon Legacy Fund.
Tags: Program Coordinator (Heather), sabrina shannon memorial award