The Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement celebrates the collective contributions of an individual Changemaker toward championing equity, empowering ability, and supporting people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide.
This special award is presented to a person who has demonstrated meritorious service and long-term commitment to MODC and its purpose, vision, and mission, making high-impact contributions to service delivery, advocacy, and/or volunteer leadership.
Eligibility Criteria
Canadian resident, 18+.
15+ years of service/involvement with MODC.
Demonstrated, exceptional long-term impact in service delivery, advocacy, and/or volunteer leadership.
Note: MODC staff are ineligible for this award. Staff can be nominated for our President’s Award (nominations open in July).
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Nominations – CLOSED
Nominations are closed.
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Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement Past Winners
Congratulations to
the Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement winners. All the winners were celebrated at MODC’s annual signature gala, The Changemakers Supper Club, held in Toronto.
2025 Lifetime Achievement Changemaker of the Year
Barbara Mori, Margaret Curtis and Sandra Mallory
Barbara, Margaret, and Sandra are the recipients of the 2025 Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement for their extraordinary volunteer service with March of Dimes Canada’s Aphasia and Communication Disabilities Program.
These remarkable women have contributed 75 years of combined service to people with disabilities in Canada. Their dedication to creating safe, supportive spaces where stroke survivors and people with communications disabilities can begin rebuilding their lives with hope and dignity is truly astonishing.
As volunteer facilitators, they use evidence-based strategies and compassionate listening to ensure every participant they meet feels heard and included — whether through conversation, gestures, or alternative methods of communicating.
Their leadership reflects an approach to aphasia and post-stroke recovery that prioritizes independence, social connection, and quality of life. Week after week, Barbara, Margaret, and Sandra create a sense of community and belonging where people celebrate progress, share challenges, and rediscover their voices.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they also led virtual meetings to make sure everyone remained connected and to avoid the many risks associated with increased isolation, despite being unfamiliar with the technology.
The work of these tremendous champions of disability inclusion embodies the mission, vision, and values of March of Dimes Canada. Their actions — big and small — are breaking down barriers, fostering connections, and proving the most powerful voices in our society are those of people seldom heard, who lead with grace and optimism.
2024 Lifetime Achievement Changemaker of the Year
Cam Whale
Cam began his journey with March of Dimes Canada helping set up an independent living complex in Oakville, Ont. He later joined MODC’s board of directors, serving on various committees, and was chair of MODC’s Non-Profit Housing Corporation on two separate occasions. He’s currently chair of the Stroke Recovery Association of BC.
Cam was instrumental in setting up MODC’s first brain injury supportive housing project in Sudbury, Ont., including working with developers on sit selection and property evaluation. His work on this project was a huge part of its success and contributed significantly toward creating affordable housing for people with disabilities.
It’s well known that Cam is always available to help out on things big and small. His stewardship and oversight over the past three decades have made an enormous difference in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and friends.
Cam is also a team player who knows the value of cooperation but isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo – whether it’s working to improve MODC service standards or pushing for the best possible outcome no matter how difficult the task.
In January 2020, Cam retired from a rewarding 40-year career with the Royal Bank of Canada. His work was focused on operational aspects of Canadian banking with an emphasis on national planning and integrating changing banking behaviours to secure the best possible branch locations for customers across Canada.
2023 Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement Winner – Dan Purcell
A stroke survivor,
Dan Purcell has volunteered with March of Dimes Canada in the Kitchener-Waterloo area for 23 years, working tirelessly to provide support to stroke survivors as a hospital peer visitor and as a founding member and chair of his local MODC stroke recovery chapter. Through his efforts, he has fostered a strong sense of community among local stroke survivors, built capacity and championed public funding for improved supports. Known for his positive energy and ‘above and beyond’ approach, Dan’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of stroke survivors merits this special recognition.
2022 Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement Winner – Elizabeth Lounsbury
Elizabeth Lounsbury first connected with March of Dimes Canada in 1983. As a polio survivor living with post-polio syndrome, she has advocated passionately for people with disabilities. Her wide-ranging work with MODC — from our Board of Directors and Government Relations team to Employment Services, Recreation, and fundraising — as well as her 11 years as Chair of Sudbury Post-Polio Chapter, have created meaningful change across Canada. Elizabeth’s leadership, dedication, and commitment is truly remarkable.
