ISSUE
winter wrap-up
Success I believe what comes out of your mouth gives you your life. So share your goals and dreams with others and surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed. Personally, I don’t even call them goals, I call them my promises, because for me, a promise is harder to break. As seen throughout this third Journey magazine, success is unique to everyone and comes in many different forms. For para-alpine skier Katie Combaluzier success was taking her first steps after an avalanche rendered her a paraplegic, for hockey player Erin Ambrose success was inspiring 5 year old Sofia Quiñones from her hometown with her Olympic gold medal and for Wheelchair Rugby player Byron Green success is defined as “am I making my community better?” Our athletes take success to a world class level of commitment and these pages are full of captivating stories and examples of courage, resilience and never giving up. What’s all the more remarkable is how our athletes continue to reach new levels of success in a sport system and culture that is broken and where
the majority go into debt wearing the map leaf. Recent newspaper articles on Nationa Sports Federations like on page 35 showc our ski jumpers is just one example of how athletes are unfairly treated and unfortuna it’s only gotten worse. I’d like to share part a message I received from a recent CAN F recipient. “I truly cannot express how muc means that you felt I am worth investing Imagine reading this in a thank you email f an athlete. We all often struggle with feelin worthy enough to receive support, questio it and doubting ourselves, but with CAN F this changes! Every CAN Fund donor is te an athlete you are worth investing in so yo can succeed and when you do, you inspire people around you to dream more. We are worthy of reaching our full potential.
Years ago I made a promise to the athlete promise to give them a platform to collecti use their voice, to make positive change a to help each other succeed. That platform CAN Fund and success for 2022 is getting athletes to now own their power, to supp each other and to build their brand throu the CAN Fund Pledge of Athletes Helping Athletes. The heavy lifting has been done athletes know that CAN Fund is their cha - the athletes charity! From softball playe Natalie Wideman, to hockey player Brian Jenner to luge athlete Tristan Walker, ath are taking the CAN Fund Pledge as seen Page 9 and ensuring that no one is left be in their journey.
CAN Fund 106 Berkeley St Toronto, ON M5A 2W7 (416) 487-4442 @CANFund • @150Women
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Jane Roos CAN Fund Founder
Designed by Kristin Grimshaw
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To donate www.MyCANFund.ca
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Lots of Magic,
A publication by
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An athlete’s journey while full of goals is also full of promises. Promises of having no regrets and giving everything they’ve got for a complete unknown. Often not knowing where the funding will come from for their next flight to a training camp, if they can afford to bring their coach to a major competition, or how they will afford the right equipment so they can compete on a level playing field. This is what drives our promise to raise $10 million this year by November 8th, 2022 and why CAN Fund is the largest builder of athletic talent in this country.
Issue no.3 SPRING 2022
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The spotlight of this Journey Issue is on the winter athletes, enjoy celebrating them and reading what they have overcome to achieve their success. CAN Fund is a small team, we are not a media company – each Journey magazine is put together in the afterhours of our fundraising campaigns. It is our way to share more athlete stories, take you behind the scenes and show the impact every donation makes from our donors, monthly donors, CAN Fund #150Women, Foundations, sponsors and corporate partners. With 4 Games - Summer, Winter, able-bodied and para back-to-back in less than a year, the Fund felt the impact every charity has recently experienced and yet we funded the majority of winter athletes who competed for Canada featured on page 7.
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SUCCESS ISSUE
Contents 9 12 17 25 27 29 31 35 37 41 45 49
Athletes Helping Athletes BE EPIC Spotlight Celebrating Black Excellence First Medal for Canada 2022 CAN Fund Is... CAN Fund Stats Recipient Fun Facts Legacy of Impact CAN Fund 22 Magical Moments of the Games The Maple Leaf Unites Us All One Step At a Time Athlete In Residence
51
Celebrating Eugene Melnyk
L OF
ATHLETE HELPING ATHLETE
LARGEST BUILDER F ATHLETIC TALENT IN CANADA
ES G ES
ADOPT AN ATHLETE
MEET OUR TEAM Jane Roos CAN Fund Founder
Meagan CAN Fu Market Commu
Conrad Leinemann CAN Fund COO
Claudia CAN Fu Sales T
Ali Martincek CAN Fund Athlete Relations Manager
Janet L CAN Fu Athlete
Jane Channell CAN Fund Sales Team
Sara Gr CAN Fu #150W
n Walton und ting/ unications
Ashley Pryke CAN Fund Solutionist
a Holzner und Team
Susanne Wereley CAN Fund #150Women Director of Operations
Leung und e in Residence
Becca Frangos CAN Fund Social Mediaholic
roenewegen und Women
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski CAN Fund Athletes Helping Athletes
www.MyCANFund.ca
Meet the winter athlete donors have impacte journey to compete f
Alpine Skiing Ali Nullmeyer Amelia Smart Broderick Thompson Brodie Seger Erin Mielzynski James Crawford Jeffrey Read Laurence St. Germain Riley Seger Trevor Philp
Bobsleigh Alysia Rissling Anthony CouturierLagacé Benjamin Coakwell Cameron Stones Christine de Bruin Christopher Patrician Christopher Spring Cody Sorensen Cynthia Appiah Dawn Richardson Wilson Para Alpine Skiing Alana Ramsay Jacob (Jay) Dearborn Brian Rowland Janine McCue Frédérique Turgeon Justin Kripps Julien Petit Kristen Bujnowski Katherine Combaluzier Melissa Lotholz Logan Leach Mike Evelyn Mac Marcoux Orion Edwards Michaela Gosselin Ryan Sommer Mollie Jepsen Samuel Giguère Tristan Rodgers Sara Villani Taylor Austin Biathlon Emily Dickson Cross Country Skiing Emma Lunder Cendrine Browne Megan Bankes Dahria Beatty Sarah Beaudry Graham Ritchie Scott Gow Katherine StewartJones
Olivier Léveillé Rémi Drolet Para Nordic Skiing Brittany Hudak Christina Picton Collin Cameron Derek Zaplotinsky Emily Young Lyne-Marie Bilodeau Natalie Wilkie Russell Kennedy Figure Skating Carolane Soucisse Emily Bausback Evelyn Walsh Gabrielle Daleman Kirsten Moore-Towers Laurence Fournier Beaudry Madeline Schizas Marjorie Lajoie Michael Marinaro Nam Nguyen Nikolaj Sorensen Piper Gilles Roman Sadovsky Shane Firus Trennt Michaud Zachary Lagha
Freestyle Skiing Amy Fraser Chloé Dufour-Lapointe Gabriel Dufresne Justine Ally Justine DufourLapointe Laurent Dumais Lewis Irving Marion Thénault Megan Oldham Naomy BoudreauGuertin Noah Bowman Simon d’Artois Ice Hockey (Women) Ann-Renée Desbiens Ashton Bell Blayre Turnbull Brianne Jenner Claire Thompson Ella Shelton Emerance Maschmeyer Emily Clark Emma Maltais Erin Ambrose Jaime Bourbonnais Jamie Lee Rattray Jillian Saulnier Jocelyne Larocque Julia Gosling
es our CAN Fund ed on their for Canada.
Kristen Campbell Kristin O’Neill Laura Stacey Meaghan Mikkelson Mélodie Daoust Micah Zandee-Hart Natalie Spooner Rebecca Johnston Sarah Fillier Victoria Bach Para Ice Hockey Adam Kingsmill Antoine Lehoux Anton JacobsWebb Ben Delaney Billy Bridges Branden Sison Greg Westlake James Dunn Liam Hickey Rob Armstrong Rod Crane Dominic Larocque Zachary Lavin Long Track Speed Skating Alexa Scott Brooklyn McDougall Connor Howe Gilmore Junio
Graeme Fish Heather McLean Isabelle Weidemann Ivanie Blondin Jordan Belchos Laurent Dubreuil Maddison Pearman Marsha Hudey Ted-Jan Bloemen Tyson Langelaar Valérie Maltais Luge Caitlin Nash Cole Zajanski Devin Wardrope Justin Snith Kailey Allan Makena Hodgson Natalie Corless Reid Watts Trinity Ellis Short Track Speed Skating Alyson Charles Camille De SerresRainville Charles Hamelin Courtney Sarault Florence Brunelle Jordan Pierre-Gilles Maxime Laoun
Pascal Dion Steven Dubois William Dandjinou Skeleton Blake Enzie Dave Greszczyszyn David Park Elisabeth Maier Grace Dafoe Jaclyn LaBerge Jane Channell Jordan Rwiyamilira Kevin Boyer Kyle Murray Madison Charney Mark Lynch Mirela Rahneva Natalie Coughlin Patrick Farias Troy Wilson Ski Cross Brady Leman Courtney Hoffos Hannah Schmidt India Sherret Kevin Drury Reece Howden Zach Belczyk Zoe Chore
Ski Jumping Abigail Strate Alexandria Loutitt MacKenzie BoydClowes Matthew Soukup Natalie Eilers Snowboarding Arnaud Gaudet Audrey McManiman Brooke D’Hondt Brooke Voigt Derek Livingston Elizabeth Hosking Jasmine Baird Jules Lefebvre Kaylie Buck Kevin Hill Liam Gill Liam Moffatt Megan Farrell Sébastien Beaulieu Zoe Bergermann Para Snowboarding Sandrine Hamel Tyler Turner Wheelchair Curling Mark Ideson
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ATHLETES HELPING ATHLETES
Every month CAN Fund and CAN Fund #150Women recipients are working together to help each other succeed. They are taking the CAN Fund Pledge of “Athletes Helping Athletes.” Below we feature some of the athletes who are now paying it forward.
AT H L E TE S P RO UDLY E N DO R S I NG C AN F UND Ski Jumper Alex Loutitt holds her hands up to the camera after completing a jump at an international competition and “Thank You CAN Fund” is written on her gloves.
S OC I A L M ED I A AU C T I ON Brianne Jenner took the CAN Fund Pledge raising $993, by auctioning off an autographed hockey stick on her social media!
LO CAL F UNDRAI S E R After Greg Stewart won the 2020 Paralympic gold medal in Shot Put he was given 24 cans of beer from a good friend who created a custom beer label called ‘Shot of Gold’ featuring Greg’s image to celebrate his incredible achievement. The gesture got Greg thinking about how he could turn this idea into something bigger to benefit other athletes. The golden ale ‘Shot of Gold’ featuring the CAN Fund logo is brewed by Iron Road and was released the first week of the 2022 Winter Games. A percentage of proceeds from all bottle sales at Kamloops liquor stores and tap sales at participating breweries are being donated to CAN Fund.
AT H L E T ES CH O OS I NG CAN F UND Pole Vaulter Alysha Newman is an ambassador of Bet 99. She was given the opportunity to select an organization that supports women in sport to be the beneficiary of a donation on behalf of the company. Alysha chose CAN Fund #150Women.
CAN FUND BI R T HDAY FUNDRAISER 5,000m runner Julie-Anne Staehli created a birthday fundraiser on Facebook for CAN Fund with the goal of raising $2k before 2022 in support of winter athletes.
GET YOUR COMMUNITY ACTIVE AND BU I LD YOU R BRAND
Artistic swimmer Claudia Holzner hosted a virtual yoga class and asked participants to make a donation to CAN Fund.
Nicola Wealth is incredibly proud to see Canada’s women reach new heights Congratulations to all of the CAN Fund #150Women recipients competing for our country. We are honoured to be your Premier Partner.
Learn about our newest initiative: nicolawealth.com/womens-lead
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Every Thursday CAN Fund #150Women shines the BE EPIC Spotlight on a member of our community. Below is a sample of some of the women recently featured.
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SELENA WOO Vice President of Advisory Services at Nicola Wealth
Was there an inspirational moment in your life that shifted your career path? I think a turning point for me was learning not to doubt myself and avoid comparing myself to others in a negative way. By taking a step back, I realized that I had my own abilities and passions that may be different from someone else’s path. Instead of looking at that in a negative way, I looked at them through the lens of a role model. How do we lift each other up and push forward – this is how I look at my own leadership today in managing a team – how do we find potential in people, lift each other up and push forward.
BE EPIC MEANS... “Driving forward change. Let’s all
take action, take initiative, and lift each other up to drive forward change and make a difference.”
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CARLA MACLEOD
2x Olympic Hockey Gold M
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After your athletic care
I think I have always wanted how it is taught. That said, y by the head coach of the Ca time I didn’t fully understand impactful that was. Mel mad her for that. There are many was something that resonat
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BE EPIC MEANS... “Showing up for people when yo
of epic aren’t seen, they are the unseen moments whe
LEE FAIRCLOUGH
Former competitive athlete in rugby, swimming, and water polo, and Presid
How has sport impacted your life?
My sporting career taught me that ups and downs are inevitable in any pursu always find a way to recover. I am currently the President at St. Mary’s Gener as we’ve come together as a team to work through this COVID-19 pandemic. through sport. There is a lot you learn through degrees, and education is ver advise women to reflect on the experiences that they had as an athlete as th
BE EPIC MEANS... “Go for it. Dream, stretch yoursel
through today, it is time to be epic in the ways that yo
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Medalist and Head Coach of the University of Calgary Women’s Hockey Team
eer, when did you know you wanted to be a coach?
d to be a coach. When I was playing, I was drawn to how the game works and you don’t go into coaching if you don’t have great mentors. I was first coached anadian women’s hockey team, Mel Davidson, when I was 11 years old. At the d how important it was to have female role models. Now I certainly realize how de what she was doing look easy, but it was a lot of work and I’ve since thanked y women that have affected me profoundly. To pass on what they did for me ted with me.
ou say you will, delivering when they need it. The moments ere you help and allow others to help you.”
dent of St. Mary’s General Hospital
uit, but with a committed team we can ral Hospital and that certainly has been true . The greatest lessons I’ve learned came ry important, but at the end of the day, I hey pursue a career.
lf, and reach for things. With what people are going ou can be to overcome the pandemic.”
DR. GITTE FREDERIKSEN
Athlete, Dental Surgeon, and one of the origina
Why did you become a CAN Fund #150
To me, CAN Fund and CAN Fund #150Women is a fortunate to have in my life. I have seen athletes st means to stay competitive in their sport. Sometim giving you a break. If I can help provide some fina journey to become the best they can be, that is an
BE EPIC MEANS... “Dare to be everything you can b
about courage and daring to follow your dreams. Kee
STACEY KELLER Teacher, Entrepreneur, and Creator of Ponyback Hats
What does women supporting women mean to you? The moment I heard about CAN Fund #150Women, I donated. CAN Fund #150Women is in alignment with my vision for Ponyback hats, encouraging women to become and grow into their best selves. I think that women supporting women is recognizing the gifts and strengths in each other, but also finding that inner confidence and inner self-love before we can truly support another person. I am doing this by selling hats and CAN Fund #150Women is doing it by supporting female athletes.
BE EPIC MEANS... “That you figure out who you really are and you live into that person 1000%”
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be. Don’t worry about what people think. Being epic is ep picking yourself up and trying again.”
Join CAN Fund #150Women with a donation of $150 or more. You will receive a tax receipt and the name of the female athlete you are impacting.
BECOME A CAN FUND #150WOMEN
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about creating and paying forward opportunities I have been truggle to balance training and work, so they have the financial mes the difference in finding the courage to succeed is someone ancial support and encouragement for a female athlete on their n extremely rewarding position to be in.
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“WITHIN THE SPORT OF BOBSLEIGH, THERE IS SOME KIND OF INVISIBLE CEILING WHERE BLACK ATHLETES THAT DO COME INTO OUR SPORT, THEY STAY AS BRAKEMEN. A LOT OF US ARE SLOWLY TRANSITIONING INTO THAT PILOT SEAT AND WE’RE ALL SUCCESSFUL AND STARTING TO SHOW WHAT THE CAPABILITIES OF BLACK ATHLETES ARE.” CYNTHIA APPIAH - Bobsleigh, Toronto, ON
@nurse
“For me Always game. N
CYNTH
2022 O
February and Forever February marked Black History Month in Canada, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians. In honour of our Black athletes who represent us on the world stage we are shining the spotlight on 5 Black CAN Fund and CAN Fund #150Women recipients who wore the maple leaf this past February in Beijing. These athletes are building a legacy of impact as they trailblaze in their respective sports, break barriers and inspire us all.
In 2010 recipie She sa Cynthi World Cynthi teamm serious reinven would of her decide making Games event p aspirat the wo is alrea eye Mi
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Sarah Nurse - Hockey, Hamilton, ON
2x Olympian, 2018 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist and Multiple CAN Fund #150Women Recipient Sarah made her Olympic debut in 2018 but prior to that she was cut from the team the 4 previous seasons. Resilience, determination and persistence were the name of the game. Fast forward to 2022 and Sarah was an instrumental player for Canada with a historic performance that has cemented her as one of the best players in the world. At the Beijing Games she became the first Black woman to win gold in hockey at the Olympics. She also set a new Olympic record with 18 points in a single tournament! With 2.7 million Canadians tuning in to watch the gold medal game against arch rival USA, Sarah Nurse is becoming a household name and inspiring thousands of young players to dream big!
e being a young biracial Black girl in the sport of hockey was difficult. feeling like I had to prove why I was playing hockey and why I loved the Not having role models in the sport was definitely difficult.” - Sarah Nurse
HIA APPIAH - Bobsleigh, Toronto, ON
Olympian and Multiple CAN Fund #150Women Recipient
0 Cynthia was drawn to bobsleigh after watching Shelley-Ann Brown, a past CAN Fund ent and fellow Black woman win the Olympic silver medal as a brakeman in bobsleigh. aw herself in Shelley-Ann! Fast forward 8 years and prior to the PyeongChang Games, ia had developed into one of the top brakeman for Canada, she had multiple Cup medals to her name but despite this success she was named an alternate. ia would travel to PyeongChang but not to compete in the Games, rather to help her mates from the sidelines in preparation for their races. Devastated and broken Cynthia sly contemplated walking away from the sport but ultimately decided to nt herself. This time around in the quadrennial leading to Beijing, things be different, Cynthia was going to make it on her own terms, in control own destiny, and not left to the decisions of someone else, so she ed to become a pilot. Cynthia made her Olympic debut in Beijing g history as Canada’s first Black female pilot to compete in the s. She competed in the augural monobob event and the 2-woman placing a very respectable 8th in both. While she had medal tions that fell short in Beijing, she proved she belonged amongst orld’s best. With a growing confidence and Olympic experience, she ady taking what she learned from her first Games as she begins to ilan 2026 more determined than ever.
@thecynapps
@alysoncharles1
Jor Spe
202 Rec
Alyson Charles - Short Track Speed Skating, Montreal, QC
Jord and alon Stev who beg follo first in th Jord inte the
2022 Olympian and CAN Fund #150Women Recipient
@just_dawn98
If you can see it, you can be it! Alyson’s Olympic dream was sparked by watching former 2x Olympic Silver Medalist in short track speed skating and past CAN Fund Recipient Kalyna Roberge compete in Torino. Kalyna, like Alyson, is biracial and of Haitian descent. Alyson broke onto the international scene in the 2018/2019 season and in only 3 years she has already won 15 World Cup medals! She made her Olympic debut in Beijing and the sky’s the limit for Alyson who is just getting started.
“As is t dre fue the to s mu
Dawn Richardson
2022 Olympian and
Going through the u epitome of strength every challenge fac Olympic debut and brakeman alongside elite finishing 8th in 2-woman team! Rem there is no doubt sh
22 Olympic Gold Medalist and CAN Fund cipient
dan made his Olympic debut in Beijing d won Olympic gold in the 5000m relay ngside his teammates Charles Hamelin, ven Dubois, Pascal Dion and Maxime Laun, o are all CAN Fund recipients. Jordan gan speed skating at only 5 years old owing in his older brother’s footsteps. His t international competition for Canada was he 2019-2020 season. At only 22 years old dan is off to an incredible start in his young ernational career and is no doubt paving way for diversity in the sport he loves.
s a native French speaker, there is a saying that goes like this - gratitude the memory of the heart. Heartfelt thanks to CAN FUND for helping make eams become reality. As a Black athlete in short track, this kind of support els my drive to perform best at the highest levels, and inspire others to do e same no matter what their passion is. What I want to achieve, what I want set, is an example for the others that are going to follow, and I want as uch as possible a lot of diversity in the sport.” - Jordan Pierre-Gilles
n Wilson - Bobsleigh, Edmonton, AB
d CAN Fund #150Women Recipient
unimaginable of losing both of her parents by the age of 7, Dawn is the h and perseverance. She has overcome so much in her life and channeled ced to become the best person and athlete she can. Beijing marked Dawn’s d at 22 years old she was one of the youngest bobsledders in Beijing. As a e pilot Cynthia Appiah the duo proved they belong amongst the world’s n the 2-woman event. Together they made history as Canada’s first Black markably Dawn has only been in the sport of Bobsleigh for 3 years and he will continue to break barriers with her sights set on Milan 2026.
@jordanpierregilles
rdan Pierre-Gilles - Short Track eed Skating, Sherbrooke, QC
Erin Ambrose – Women’s Hockey, 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist and Multiple CAN Fund #150Women Recipient with Sofia Quiñones – 5 year old fan from Erin’s hometown Canadian athletes inspire the nation and remind us all, young or old, athlete or not, to dream big and live life boldly. Women’s Hockey player and 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist Erin Ambrose was welcomed home from the Games by her friends, family, and community in Keswick, Ontario. 5 year old Sofia Quiñones made her own gold medal to celebrate Erin’s win and had the opportunity to trade medals, wearing Erin’s Olympic Gold. Erin and her 22 teammates are all CAN Fund or CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
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Give 3 of them to become a CAN Fund #150Women Your donation is supporting female athletes. Be the woman who backs her success on the world stage.
DONATE TODAY! Receive a tax receipt and name of the female athlete you supported.
@150Women • www.MyCANFund.ca • Premier Partner
1st Medal for Canada 202 Winter Games and Paralympics At both the Winter Games and Paralympics the momentum to the podium for Canadian athletes began early on Day 1 of competition. Let’s take a look at the two athletes who got it all started for Canada. Canada’s first medalists in 2022 are both women who are CAN Fund #150Women recipients. Beijing marked their second Games for both athletes who returned home as multiple medalists. Their incredible performances saw each of these women chosen as Canada’s flagbearer for the Closing Ceremonies. Meet Long Track Speed Skater Isabelle Weidemann and Para Alpine Skier Mollie Jepsen.
Olympic and Paralympic medalists from Beijing honoured at the Jay’s Home Opener. CAN Fund #150Women recipients featured left to right Natalie Wilkie – Para Nordic Skiing, Jepsen – Para Alpine Skiing, Isabelle Weidemann – Speed Skating and Laura Stacey - Hock
Mollie Jepsen
Para Alpine Skier and CAN Fund #150Women recipient Mollie Jepsen was born missin she was skiing and 15 years later she would make her Paralympic debut in PyeongCha Paralympic team. In her debut Mollie won an astonishing 4 medals (1 gold, 1 silver and picked up right where she left off winning Canada’s first medal of the 2022 Paralympic would follow that performance with a silver in the women’s giant slalom. What makes the more remarkable is that the 4 years between Games have been full of obstacles. J was diagnosed with Chrone’s disease forcing her to miss the entire next season. Then until January 2020. However, due to Covid 19 the entire Canadian Para Alpine team di competition prior to Beijing didn’t resume until January at the World Championships wh carrying a lot of momentum into Beijing. Mollie is resilient – what was unknown to mo torn ACL and was scheduled to undergo surgery after the Games. At only 22 years old M
“I define success as being happy and pushing myself to be my best version every da a podium again does not matter, what matters is leaving everything on the hill and b
22
, Mollie key
Isabelle Weidemann Long track speed skater and multiple CAN Fund #150Women recipient Isabelle Weidemann, won Canada’s first medal of the 2022 Games, a bronze in the 3000m. Beijing marked Isabelle’s second consecutive Games appearance. After nearly clinching the podium at the 2018 Games with a 4th place finish in the team pursuit, Isabelle came back with a vengeance to win the 200th medal in Canada’s Winter Olympic history. She would go on to win a silver medal in the 5000m and the gold medal in Team Pursuit alongside her teammates Ivanie Blondin, and Valerie Maltais. It was a historic skate for this unstoppable trio, not only was this the first ever Olympic gold medal for Canada in this event, but they also set an Olympic record on their way to the top of the podium! Isabelle, Ivanie and Valerie are all multiple CAN Fund #150Women recipients. Weidemann also became the second Canadian in history to win a gold, silver and bronze medal at the same Winter Games, joining fellow long track speed skater and past CAN Fund recipient Cindy Klassen who won a gold, two silver and two bronze medals in Torino 2006.
“To me, being EPIC means pushing boundaries.”
ng fingers on her left hand. By the age of two ang as the youngest member of the Canadian d 2 bronze). Four years later in Beijing, Mollie cs, gold in women’s standing downhill. She Mollie’s dominance on the world stage all Just months after the 2018 Paralympics she injuries would keep her out of competition idn’t race once in the 2020-21 season. In fact, here Mollie didn’t miss a beat, winning 3 medals ost was that in Beijing she was competing on a Mollie is already a 6-time Paralympic medalist.
ay. Whether or not I stand on top of being happy while doing it.”
Top left to bottom right: Charles Hamelin - Short Track Speed Skating, Justin Kripps - Bobsleigh, Katherine Stewart Jones - Cross Country Skiing, Caroline Soucisse - Figure Skating, Kevin Hill - Snowboarding, Marion Thenault - Freestyle Skiing, Halli Krzyzaniak, Laura Stacey, Melodie Daoust and Erin Ambrose - Hockey, Mark Ideson - Wheelchair Curling, Zoe Bergermann - Snowboarding
CAN FUND IS...
CAN FUND STATS
2022 Winter Games & Paralympics Because of CAN Fund donors...
93%
of the athletes who wore the maple leaf in Beijing at the Winter Games and Paralympics are CAN Fund recipients.
84%
of the athletes who wore the maple leaf in Beijing at the Winter Games and Paralympics are CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
MEDALS
67
Canadian athletes won Olympic medals in individual and team events at the Games.
87% of these medalists are CAN Fund recipients and CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
88%
of the medalists from the 2022 Paralympics are CAN Fund recipients and CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
90%
of the 106 female athletes who competed at the Games are CAN Fund #150Women recipients. This was the most female athletes ever at a Winter Games for Canada.
9 Paralympic athletes and 4 Olympic athletes won multiple medals in Beijing. 12 of these 13 athletes are CAN Fund recipients and CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
CAN FUND RECIPIENT AND CAN FUND #150WOMEN RECIPIENT
98
The number of years since a North American ski jumper won an Olympic medal until the Canadian team of Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Alex Loutitt, Abigail Strate and Matthew Soukup won bronze in the inaugural mixed team event in Beijing.
80
mph is the speed of 6-time Paralympic para ice hockey player Billy Bridges slapshot, that he takes with one arm!
16
The bib number that 6-time Paralympic para nordic skier Brian McKeever wore when he skied to his historic 16th career Paralympic GOLD medal in Beijing and 20th medal overall. His 16 career Paralympic gold medals ties him for the most ever Paralympic victories by a male athlete all-time.
3
The number of Paralympics Wheelchair Curling skip Mark Ideson has hidden a “lucky loonie” within the ice sheet. He has now won 3 consecutive Paralympic medals. In Beijing he hid a loonie during practice on Sheet B, the same sheet where they later won bronze.
1
The number of hockey players male or female to score a goal in 4 consecutive gold medal finals. The Canadian Women’s Team has scored 10 goals in gold medal finals since 2010 and captain MariePhilip Poulin has scored 7 of them.
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CAN FUND #150WOMEN REACHES EPIC MILESTONE:
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CANADIAN FEMALE ATHLETE FUNDED On November 30th, 2017, Ice Dancer and 2-time Olympian Piper Gilles, became the first-ever CAN Fund #150Women recipient. So, it was only fitting that Piper be the one to surprise 2022 Olympian, Megan Farrell, Snowboarding on January 26th, 2022 with the exciting news she is the 500th female athlete to be funded by CAN Fund #150Women. It was a memorable occasion shared on a virtual call with winter Olympians, parents of athletes and CAN Fund #150Women donors and supporters in attendance.
“This is so awesome, I’m going to cry, and my parents are on the call too – which means a lot. CAN Fund #150Women and the network that’s been created is life changing and it’s amazing to be supported by women across Canada. It’s expensive to be living and training in Europe, especially the past two years. I’m so happy and thankful to be a part of this – thank you!” - Megan Farrell, Snowboarding, 2022 Olympian and 500th CAN Fund #150Women Recipient
Hundreds of female athletes like Megan are relying on CAN Fund #150Women to give them the financial support they need to reach their full potential. To become a CAN Fund #150Women it is a donation of $150 of more. You will find out the female athlete you are impacting and receive a tax receipt.
CLICK TO JOIN
Winter Athletes Pump Up Playlist Arnaud Gaudet, Snowboarding - Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin Cedrine Browne, Cross-Country Skiing - Alive by Sia Ella Shelton, Hockey - Cold Hearts by Elton John and Dua Lipa Emma Lunder, Biathlon - Purple Hearts by Soffi Tukker Gilmore Junio, Speed Skating - Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue Laurent Dubreuil, Speed Skating - No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper Maddison Pearman, Speed Skating - Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback Taylor Austin, Bobsleigh - Love tonight by Shouse (David Guetta Remix) Trevor Philip, Alpine Skiing - Amari by J. Cole Tyson Langelaar, Speed Skating - Best of You by Foo Fighters
LISTEN NOW!
OTHER WAYS TO IMPACT AN ATHLETE’S JOURNEY
DONATE NOW
Hundreds of athletes apply to CAN Fund each year to help offset their expenses to train and compete for Canada. Some of the reasons athletes rely on CAN Fund is to afford proper nutrition and to pay for their travel expenses to attend training camps and competitions.
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Buy An Athlete Groceries For A Month
For a donation of $350 you can support an athlete by giving them the ability to afford proper nutrition for a month. A female Canadian rower needs to consume 6000 calories per day so her body can perform and recover from multiple training sessions. We invite you to donate $350 so that every athlete can buy the foods they need to be at their best.
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Fly An Athlete To Their Next Competition
For a donation of $500 you can ensure an athlete can travel to their next training camp or competition. Many athletes share in their CAN Fund application that they spend the majority of the year away from home travelling to training camps and international competitions. Unfortunately some athletes have no choice but to choose which events they can afford to attend. We invite you to donate $500 so that no athlete has to make this choice.
You will receive a tax receipt and name of the athlete you are supporting!
CLICK HERE FOR A NATIONAL POST ARTICLE FEATURING THE SKI JUMPERS AND FUNDING “We’re watching our equipment fall apart and duct taping it back together while these other teams are complaining that they only got three new pairs of skis” - Alex Louttit
MATTHEW SO
OUKUP
CAN Fund has a strong legacy of impact having supported every single ski jumper to compete for Canada at the Games since 2006. Ski Jumping is one of only two winter sports in Canada (the other being Nordic Combined) that receives no funding from Own the Podium. But on February 7, 2022 our Canadian ski jumpers showed us all what is possible when you give people an opportunity to succeed! Thank you to our donors for believing in our athletes and backing their success on the world stage! Because of you our athletes can compete for Canada and realize their full potential which for our ski jumpers meant Olympic history in Beijing! Canada won bronze in the 2022 mixed team ski jumping competition, which debuted as an Olympic event. This is Canada’s first-ever Olympic medal in Ski Jumping. All 4 team members
ABIGAIL STRATE
Alexandria Loutitt, Matthew Soukup, Abigail Strate, and Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes are CAN Fund or CAN Fund #150Women recipients. Canada was not considered a medal contender in a sport that is typically dominated by European nations. Standing on the Olympic podium for our Canadians was an improbable feat. Ski Jumping is one of the most underfunded winter sports in Canada with the average net income of a ski jumper applying to CAN Fund being negative $15,000. To say this bronze medal has defied all odds is an understatement. In 2018, the Ski Jumping facilities in Calgary where the team trains were permanently closed. Left with no home hills, the team was forced to relocate to Slovenia full-time to train and to keep their Olympic dream alive. For a team that is essentially “selffunded” and gets a fraction of what other nations get as far as access to basic equipment and resources, they have shown the world what hard work, sheer determination, and resilience can achieve!
ALEX LOUTITT
MACKENZIE BOYD-CLOWES
CAN FUND 22 MAGICAL MOMENT
by CAN Fu
Canadian athletes won 25 medals at the Paralympics placing third overall in the medal standings and marking Canada’s secondbest Paralympic Games ever.
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Canada’s para snowboarders made history in Beijing winning the country’s first ever medals in the sport. Tyler Turner won the first ever gold for Canada in snowboard cross and a bronze in banked slalom.
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10 months after winning a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, Snowboarder Max Parrot was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Over the next 6 months he underwent 12 treatments of chemotherapy and made a remarkable return to sport. In Beijing, Max won 2 Olympic medals including Canada’s first gold of the Games in Slopestyle, followed by a bronze in Big Air.
Para nordic skier Brian McKeever in his 6th and final Paralympic Games going out on top. Brian added 3 more gold medals in Beijing to win his 16th career Paralympic gold, tying Germany’s para alpine skier Gerd Schönfelder with the most ever career Paralympic wins for a male athlete. Remarkably, Brian ends his career with an astonishing 20 Paralympic medals to his name. He was never beaten in the middle distance and sprint events in his Paralympic career.
ATHLETE’S HELPING ATHLETES (AHA) “Shot of Gold” golden ale was created by CAN Fund recipient and 2020 Paralympic gold medalist Greg Stewart. The fundraiser for CAN Fund launched in 5 breweries in Kamloops along with an online auction all created by Greg!
Led by Marie-Philip Poulin, “Captain Clutch”, the Canadian Women’s Hockey team reclaimed their spot atop the Olympic podium. All 23 players are CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
made history winning bronze in the debut of the Women’s Monobob event.
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The freestyle skiing trio of Marion Thenault, Miha Fontaine, and Lewis Irving made history winning the firstever bronze medal in mixed team aerials as the event made its Olympic debut at the 2022 Games.
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TS OF THE GAMES
und and CAN Fund #150Women Recipients
he CAN Fund Virtual Celebration Lounge rought proud parents together for a unday virtual coffee on February 13th.
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Long Track Speed Skater Laurent Dubreuil captured silver in the men’s 1000m, a courageous skate after narrowly missing the podium by only three-hundredths of a second in the 500m earlier in the Games.
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Cassie Sharpe brought home a silver medal in Freestyle Skiing Halfpipe. This is her second straight Olympic medal in the event after winning Gold in 2018. For Cassie to stand on the Olympic podium in Beijing was a remarkable feat having undergone surgery only a year ago to repair torn ligaments and a fractured femur sustained in competition.
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Long Track Speed Skater Isabelle Weidemann and Short Track Speed Skater Steven Dubois each took home an Olympic Hat Trick - a medal of every colour. So did Paralympic para nordic skiers Mark Arendz and Natalie Wilkie who each earned 4 medals at the Games. It was 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze for Wilkie and 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze for Arendz.
Canada won its first-ever Olympic medal in Ski Jumping. Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, Alexandria Loutitt, Matthew Soukup and Abigail Strate soared to bronze in the Mixed Team event. Ski Jumping is the most underfunded winter sport in Canada. The team had to relocate full-time to Slovenia to keep their Olympic dream alive because their training facility in Canada was permanently closed in 2018. To say their bronze medal win defied all odds is an understatement!
Resilience at it’s finest. Ivanie Blondin wins silver in Speed Skating in the Women’s Mass Start. 4 years ago, she was a medal favourite in this event but her podium pursuit was cut short by a disappointing crash in the semi-finals that devastated her. Ivanie also won gold in the Team Pursuit with Valerie Maltais and Isabelle Weidemann.
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The athletes selected to carry the Canadian flag - Short Track Speed Skater Charles Hamelin, Ice Hockey Player Marie-Philip Poulin, Wheelchair Curler Ina Forrest and Para Ice Hockey Player Greg Westlake for the Opening Ceremonies and Long Track Speed Skater Isabelle Weidemann and Para Alpine Skier Mollie Jepsen for the Closing Ceremonies. All 6 of these incredible athletes also won medals in Beijing!
Third time’s a charm for 2-time Olympic Alpine Skier Jack Crawford. In the Men’s Downhill, his first event of the Games, Jack narrowly missed the podium by 0.07 seconds. He followed that up with a strong 6th place finish in the Men’s Super G. And in his third and final race, the Men’s Alpine Combined, Jack won bronze - the first-ever medal for Canada in this event at an Olympic Games.
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So many moments as a country to celebrate from Scott Gow’s historic 5th place finish in the Men’s 20km Biathlon event, to the strength shown by veteran mogul skier Justine Dufour-Lapointe whose crash in the finals ended her quest of a third straight Olympic medal, but in a moment of utter heartbreak got back up and finished her run, to Canada’s oldest Paralympian Wheelchair Curler Dennis Thiessen at age 60 winning Paralympic bronze in his second consecutive Games, to Figure Skater Madeline Schizas skating a personal best in her Olympic debut to send Canada into the Free Skate medal round - all of our athletes poured their heart and soul into representing us all on the world’s biggest stage. CAN Fund Virtual Celebration Lounge Hockey Tailgate on Wednesday, February 16th before the women’s hockey gold medal win, surprised 11 para athletes with the news they are 2022 CAN Fund and CAN Fund #150Women recipients including Para Ice Hockey Player and 3-time Paralympic medalist Billy Bridges who competed in his 6th Paralympic Games.
19 February 14th, Valentine’s Day, “Share Your Love Campaign”, launched asking for donations of $14, $140, $1400 to support athletes on their journey to 2024 - Paris the City of Love and beyond!
In his final skate of his illustrious Olympic career, Short Track Speed Skater Charles Hamelin won gold in the men’s 5000m relay with teammates Steven Dubois, Pascal Dion, Jordan Pierre-Gilles and Maxime Laoun. This was his 6th Olympic medal which ties him with long track speed skater Cindy Klassen as the most decorated Canadian Winter Olympian of all-time! The CAN Fund Gold Silver Bronze Lunch & Learn - treated guests to an opportunity to hear 3 Olympic medalists with fascinating stories: Ice Hockey player Carla MacLeod, Figure Skater Dylan Moscovitch, and Race Walker Evan Dunfee. They shared valuable tools and insights to apply to our own lives through their perspectives on self-belief, preparation, humble confidence, and the power of surrender.
15 members of the CBC Broadcast Team that brought us 16 days of coverage during the Games and who captivated us with compelling stories and live commentary from the Olympic venues are CAN Fund Alumni!
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CLICK TO GET YOUR PRINTABLE POSTER AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR CAN FUND #150WOMEN!
The Maple Leaf Unites Us All We want to surprise every 2022 Olympic and Paralympic athlete with a “Maple Leaf Home” painting. A gift to say thank you. Thank you for wearing the maple leaf with such dignity on the world’s largest stage and for stirring a nation with inspiration, dreams and creativity. Our Canadian athletes once again displayed sportsmanship, athleticism and resilience making us all so proud to be Canadian while taking us on an unforgettable journey. A journey that for the majority of our athletes was 8+ years in the making. Tears, heartbreak, heroics, and elation, our athletes gave it their everything and in doing so reminded us all to live life with passion, courage, and determination.
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Alpine Skiing Biathlon Bobsleigh
Cross Countr Curling
Figure Skatin
Freestyle Ski Luge
Long Track S
Para Alpine S
Para Ice Hock
Each Maple Leaf Home painting is $250, 8x8, acrylic, and custom painted by artist Jane Roos. Purchase a Maple Leaf Home painting for $250 to give to your favourite athlete or for donations ranging from $750 to $6,000 you can purchase a painting for every athlete from your favourite sport.
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Para Snowbo
Short Track S Skeleton Ski Cross Ski Jumping
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Wheelchair C
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Donation Amount
Value of Tax Receipt
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$3,250
$1,950
8
$2,000
$1,200
18
$4,500
$2,700
9
$2,250
$1,350
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$3,000
$1,800
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$3,250
$1,950
iing
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$6,000
$3,600
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$1,500
$900
Speed Skating
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$4,000
$2,400
Skiing
10
$2,500
$1,500
key
17
$4,250
$2,550
Skiing
12
$3,000
$1,800
oarding
4
$1,000
$600
Speed Skating
10
$2,500
$1,500
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$750
$450
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$2,000
$1,200
4
$1,000
$600
ng
23
$5,750
$3,450
Curling
5
$1,250
$750
23
$5,750
$3,450
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ry Skiing
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To order call 1-866-937-2012 or email Jane@CanadianAthletesNow.ca
# of Athletes
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RUN 2022 Run/Walk From July 24th to July 31st
Run or Walk to support her training Run or Walk to give her opportunity Run or Walk to be part of her journey www.BeEpicRun.ca • @150Women • Premier Partner
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You’re Invited To Join the 2nd Annual Virtual CAN Fund #150Women BE EPIC Run Success for CAN Fund #150Women is being the largest builder of female athletic talent in Canada and every donation to the 2nd Annual BE EPIC Run makes this possible!
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Registration is now open! Sign Up For Free Here Invite your family, friends, colleagues to join you and to make a donation of any amount to CAN Fund #150Women Walk or Run the week of July 24-July 31. You decide when and where you’d like to run or walk and just how far you’d like to go.
Journey Partner Donate $5000 and receive 6 BE EPIC Run Kits, a call or run with a CAN Fund #150Women recipient and more.
Sponsors We are looking for 7 companies or individuals to be a matching sponsor for each day of the BE EPIC Run. Giving even more incentive for people to run or walk as a fundraiser to support female athletes. Contact 150Women.CANFund@gmail.com for more details.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
At CAN Fund we often describe our Paralympic athletes as some of the most resilient and motivated people in the world who are breaking barriers and defying all odds while overcoming so much to wear the maple leaf. For CAN Fund #150Women recipient Katie Combaluzier her journey
to the Paralympics in para al skiing is one of sheer determ What she has accomplished the 4 years since a tragic acc on March 18, 2018 on the slo in Grenoble is nothing short remarkable. Through her ow and pictures Katie shares a g into her inspiring journey.
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On this day 4 years ago, my world turned upside down. An avalanche smashed my vertebrae and rendered me a paraplegic. In the world of Olympic and Paralympic sports, time is measured quadrennially, a period of 4 years between Games. This quadrennial was different for me than most other athletes, but started at the same time. March 18th 2018, the day of the closing ceremony of the last Paralympic Winter Games. I remember the first thing I told my mom as I lay in my hospital bed paralyzed “At least I can go to the Paralympics now” I set myself that goal 4 years ago and worked my ass off to make it happen. Not only did I go to the Paralympics, but I’ve also graduated from medical school, relearned how to hike and climb, built a van, and continued to live life to the fullest. I’ve been able to take so many positives from a tragic situation. While my life doesn’t look the way I expected it to, it’s still pretty darn good. Here’s to the next 4 years!
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Skiing in the Alps was a dream come true, But for our group of four the dream quickly turned to a nightmare. Thanks to the rescue efforts of Sophie, Sylvain and the entire mountain rescue team, I made it out alive.
I bought a cheap old FedEx van, converted it into a tiny home on wheels and moved into it with my partner. Living in a van has allowed me to be mobile and I can take my home with me wherever my training schedule requires.
We survived an avalanche together. If these two hadn’t een by my side I don’t know if I’d have made it.
trong, powerful legs, I miss you. Those legs carried me up ountless mountains and now I can barely feel them. It’s really cary watching my muscles atrophy and even scarier not being ble to move. I feel lucky to have been so strong to begin with. n between studying for medical school exams, I’ve been working ard in physio and trying to get my muscles moving. So far, I’ve nly got use of my quads and still no feeling in my feet. I got the ews today that I’m moving to rehab next week! I’m stoked for his next chapter and hoping I can get back on my feet soon. Disability does not equal unworthy, or unable. Despite my disability, I will be a doctor, I can ski, climb, hike, walk, travel, and so much more. I am proud to be part of the disabled community, I only hope the rest of the world sees us as we see ourselves.
So excited to graduate with the UCD Medicine Class of 2021. It’s been a long and challenging 4 years, with a life changing injury and a global pandemic, but I am incredibly proud of what I have been able to accomplish despite it all. There will undoubtedly be more challenges to overcome as a doctor with a disability, but I’m ready for it! Coming to a hospital near you in 2022!
We know how essential CAN Fund is to every athlete’s journey and we are invested in CAN Fund’s mission of supporting as many athletes as possible to ensure they can afford what they need to be world class. It takes great courage, hard work and dedication to train day in and day out behind the scenes, often in anonymity. This is what we are investing in – Canadian athletes’ resiliency, unwavering passion, and never-give-up mentality.
Elizabeth Hosking - Snowboarding
SINCE 2010, THE SPROTT FOUNDATION HAS BEEN BACKING CAN FUND BECAUSE OF OUR SHARED BELIEF IN GIVING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED AND TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE CAN FUND ALUMNI WHO WORKED FOR CBC DURING THE BEIJING GAMES TO COVER OUR CANADIAN ATHLETES Anastasia Bucsis – Reporter Arianne Jones – Analyst Luge Alex Beaulieu-Marchand – Analyst Freestyle Big Air and Slopestyle Cassie Hawrysh – Analyst Skeleton Cheryl Pounder – Analyst Hockey Deidra Dionne – Analyst Freestyle Aerials Helen Upperton – Analyst Bobsleigh Kelly VanderBeek – Reporter Meagan Duhamel – Analyst Figure Skating Kaetlyn Osmond – Analyst Figure Skating Kelsey Serwa – Analyst Ski Cross “I feel like I’m representing the Kristina Groves – Analyst Long Track Speed Skating maple leaf over there, the same way Michael Gilday – Analyst Short Track Speed Skating athletes are giving it their best - I go with the intention to give my best Perdita Felicien – Beijing Today and do honour to their stories and connect Canadians to their stories.” Roseline Filion – Reporter - Kelly VanderBeek, Olympian, Alpine Skiing, CAN Fund Alumni
ATHLETE IN RESIDENCE
Many athletes often order to have time to was it like transitioni working a day job fo
In order to pursue my d Olympics, I decided to focus on my training in for Tokyo and not have essentially being an ath past four years. I’m not a bit tough as the work training at the gym or in the sun. Anything wa down from the high of was working with a tea that’s like and finding m athletes. Jane and Con athletes themselves an performing athletes fo at the end of the day, C through a time where I outside of playing soft
After coming home from the Olympics with a historic bronze medal in softball for Canada, JANET LEUNG became CAN Fund’s firstever “Athlete in Residence.” A unique opportunity to gain work experience and to help more Canadian athletes like herself through living and working at the CAN Fund office in Toronto. We sat down with Janet to get the inside scoop on what it was like to go from being a part of the CAN Fund community on the outside to working behind the scenes on the inside.
What’s one thing tha started working at C
How much work goes o thankfully been funded beyond thankful for tha into that and how hard as many athletes as po grateful. I think anothe how big of an impact o charity. Whether you’re you can make such a b thing: sharing the fund friends and coworkers items, there are endles
Who’s someone you CAN Fund?
COVID unfortunately m office tough, so I’ve on (Sydney Payne, Shane and Piper Gilles). I’ve w the Tokyo Olympics/Pa
put their career on hold in o train for their sport. What ing from being an athlete to or CAN Fund?
dream of competing at the o put a pause on school and n order to be fully prepared e any regrets looking back - so hlete was my full time job these t going to lie, the transition was kspace just isn’t the same as spending time out on the dirt as going to be tough coming f the Olympics, but what helped am that fully understood what my purpose of helping other nrad and the rest of the team are nd having worked with these high or years now, they get it. I think CAN Fund helped me navigate I wasn’t sure what my purpose tball was.
at surprised you once you CAN Fund?
on behind the scenes! I’ve d twice by CAN Fund and am at, but now knowing what goes d the team works in order to fund ossible makes me even more er thing that surprised me was one person can make on the e an athlete, donor, or parent big difference by just doing one d with your network, rallying or auctioning off autographed ss possibilities.
u met while working at
made meeting athletes at the nly met a handful in person Firus and Carolane Soucisse, worked through the followup of aralympics and just finished the
Beijing Olympics/Paralympics so it’s been cool to meet a lot of the athletes via Zoom through various CAN Fund calls/events.
What’s something you learned that you didn’t know before?
I think one of the most valuable skills I learned and am still working on is how important it is to create meaningful connections with people - both with the athletes and the donors, but there’s also the parents, the other businesses that you want to partner with, the alumni, the caterers. I think the reason why CAN Fund is successful and can support so many Canadian athletes living their dream is because of how Jane, Conrad, Ali, Megan, and everyone else on the team talk to people. They truly care about the conversations and the people behind the words and money and have built up this strong community where people feel valued.
Have you been able to explore more of the city since living there?
One of the perks has definitely been being able to explore more of downtown. I grew up in the suburbs in the GTA but never ventured into Toronto a lot, except for Blue Jays games. I think my favourite part has been exploring all the different restaurants and having easier access to my favourites (e.g. Pai and Miku). Also I’ve never really explored the east end of Toronto before - I love the old brick buildings and vibes out here (not as busy as the core of the city).
Living by the motto “Carpe Diem” Eugene infused this zest for life in all that he did and through his contributions to CAN Fund he gave hundreds of athletes the opportunity to seize the day! In loving memory of Eugene Melnyk who touched the lives of so many.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE & CONTRIBUTIONS of Eugene Melnyk, May 27, 1959 - March 28, 2022 A successful businessman and entrepreneur, well-known in the sports world as the owner of the Ottawa Senators and for his commitment to keeping NHL hockey in Ottawa, Eugene was best defined by his compassion. He was a generous philanthropist who made a difference in the lives of countless people in communities across Canada, Barbados and Ukraine through numerous causes close to his heart. CAN Fund is one of the many charities that Eugene has left a lasting legacy and we are forever grateful for his impact and patriotism for Canadian athletes. In 2007 Eugene made a significant $1 million contribution to be the first donor to the CAN Fund Patrons of Sport Campaign. This donation gave 167 Canadian athletes the opportunity to afford what they
needed to train and compete for Canada in preparation of the 2008 Beijing and 2010 Vancouver Games. As a steadfast CAN Fund donor Eugene was an integral member of the CAN Fund family. Aside from monetary donations Eugene always included CAN Fund in other ways, donating suites at Canadian Tire Place to host other CAN Fund donors, athletes and families at notable events over the years like the Women’s Hockey World Championships and A Conversation With Michelle Obama. Eugene was kind and gave hope to others when it was needed most but above all else he was a beloved family man and devout father who will be dearly missed - survived by his partner Sharilyne, mother Vera, sister Lydia and his two daughters Anna and Olivia.
CHOOSE THE AMOUNT TO GIVE PER MONTH $10 $20 $50 $100
OTHER AMOUNT
Join our community of monthly donors investing in Canadian athletes. We call CAN Fund Monthly Donors “Patrons of Sport”
Choose your monthly donation and deductions will be made automatically from your credit card each month. At the end of the year you will find out the athletes you’ve supported and receive a tax receipt.
DONATE HERE @150Women • @CANFund • www.MyCANFund.ca
How do you define My definition of success is simple, am I making my community better? Byron Green - Wheelchair Rugby By leaving everything on the racecourse. By crossing the finish line knowing that anyone who beat me did so because they were stronger on that day, not because they worked harder. Keely Shaw - Para Cycling I define success as chasing your greatness, nothing more. Sure some metrics can indicate success, but I prefer to be the decider of that. I believe I’m harder on myself than anyone else could be. Nate Riech – Para Athletics Setting lofty goals and doing everything in your power to achieve those goals. Maximilien Van Haaster - Fencing
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What advice would you give someone to crush a big goal they want to Start small. Ask yourself what can I do today, tomorrow, this week, this month, this year to give myself the best chance of achieving the end goal? Tyler Turner - Para Snowboarding
t is very easy to become too focused on the end result when working towards a big goal. The reality is that when the dust settles, and you look back on the journey the end result is just the sprinkles on the cake. The true value lies in the ups and downs and lessons learned along the way. Enjoy the ride. Mac Marcoux - Para Alpine Skiing
ound yourself with likeminded people who want to help and see you succeed. Sarah Fillier - Hockey Stay dedicated to the process and believe in yourself. Ignore all other external factors and get to work. Liam Hickey – Para Ice Hockey
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