Long-time Foundation grantholder (and key contributor to the Care Renewal initiative) VON Canada has inaugurated the Katharine Pearson Caregiver Award, in honour of the late Katherine Pearson, a vital staff member of the Foundation and a tireless advocate of caregiver rights.
“This award is bestowed on a volunteer or staff member who is a caregiver, who lovingly takes care of family and/or friends day after day, and who is nominated for exemplary care to their family member or friend.”
The first recipient of the award is Jane Szturn, of VON Middlesex-Elgin, who three years ago moved her mother from a retirement home to live with her and her husband as her mother’s health began to fail. Jane is 60 years old and works part time for VON. She received the award at a ceremony during the VON Canada annual conference in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland last September.