Nine Hamiltonians take home Senior of the Year awards
Spreading awareness about cancer. Visiting residents of long-term care to prevent isolation in the pandemic. Promoting age-friendly transportation and housing.
Those were among the initiatives that won nine Hamilton seniors awards on Saturday.
The Senior of the Year awards recognize residents age 65 and older who enrich the social, cultural or civic life of others and/or the community," the city said in a release. The 26th ceremony was held virtually due to COVID-19.
2021 Senior of the Year - Jeanne Mayo
Mayo has spent years volunteering in Hamilton, including promoting safe transportation and age-friendly housing through Hamilton's seniors advisory committee and Hamilton Council on Aging.
Mayo also wrote Spectator op-eds on issues affecting older adults and produced a television series on aging in Hamilton for Cable 14.
Innovation Award - Dr. Bill Evans
As president of the Juravinski Cancer Centre, Evans worked to improve cancer outcomes in Hamilton, which were worse than other parts of Ontario. He introduced the mobile breast screening coach for people who don't have a family doctor or face other barriers to accessing services.
He also launched the Cancer Assist Show on the radio to teach the public about cancer. The show later became a podcast, which is streamed in more than 200 cities in Canada and the U.S.
Behind the Scenes Award - Gene Fama
For more than two decades, Fama has tested, repaired and repurposed donations at Hamilton ReStore, which supports Habitat for Humanity in raising funds to help build homes for local families.
Compassion and Companionship Award - Dr. Al Fernandez
A retired family physician, Fernandez visited residents at Heritage Green, Clarion and Ridgeview long-term-care homes each week. During COVID-19, he kept up his visits to keep residents from feeling isolated, and to support staff and families.
He's also served as eucharistic minister for 40 years at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Stoney Creek. In that role, he offered communion and held a mass for Amica retirement home residents during COVID-19.
Economic Leadership Award - Mathew Kavanakudy
Kavanakudy has raised more than $700,000 over 10 years for Hamilton Malayalee Samajam, a group for residents from India's Kerala state. That funding went toward a computer lab and community kitchen for seniors, among other projects. He also recently help secure funding to build a cricket field.
Leadership Award - Dr. Kanwal Shankardass
The family physician has worked to improve medical care for seniors. He recently led the development of Long Term Care - Consults and Recommendations for Emergency and Support Service (LTC-CARES) in Hamilton, a program that provides long-term care residents and staff virtual emergency services. The program reduces unnecessary ER visits, especially in the pandemic.
Lifetime Achievement Award - Helena Streun
A 45-year breast cancer survivor, Streun helped introduce the Cancer Assistance Program - a non-profit offering free supports to families affected by cancer - on the Mountain. She's also volunteered for the Canadian Cancer Society, Henderson Hospital, the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital and St. Joseph's Villa.
Youth Supporting Seniors Award - Kiara Mech
Mech is a five-year youth volunteer who's supported seniors through the YWCA Hamilton. Her work includes delivering care packages to isolated seniors during COVID-19, as well as supporting the YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Awards and ywcaENCORE, a program for breast cancer survivors.
Maria Iqbal is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator covering aging. Reach her via email: miqbal@thespec.com.