National Recognition for local CF Volunteers

By Richard Coffin
Two volunteers with the Cystic Fibrosis Canada North Bay Chapter are receiving King Charles III Coronation Medals.

Officials say Macrina Perron and Paige Trudeau-Shemilt are being honoured for their significant contribution to the national CF community and for being role models who inspire others. 

“It’s a huge honour and a little surreal,” says Perron, whose children Brayden and Keira are both living with CF.  

She’s a provincial advocate, walk coordinator/chapter volunteer, and longtime fundraiser for CF Canada.

“To see the list of people receiving this recognition, that’s the part for me that’s most humbling,” says Perron. “Doug and Donna Summerhayes who were the initial founders of CF Canada back in the 1960s are on that list and Stephanie Stavros, who spearheaded the CF Get Loud movement.  She’s a huge force in our community.”  

Along with being a spokesperson and health-charity champion since the age of eight, Trudeau-Shemilt, whose late husband Jordan Gardiner was a CF warrior, is the Chapter President. 

“It’s a little bit unbelievable and humbling because there are so many people across our nation that do so many wonderful things,” she says.  

Trudeau-Shemilt adds being honoured also helps create awareness.  

“Even though it is still considered a rare disease, it is starting to really bring motion,” she says. “Having CF Canada be part of these annual coronation medals and bringing their name to the forefront across the nation is only going to help create more awareness and help raise the funds that we need for CF. “

Officials say the Coronation Medals will be awarded later this spring.

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