Food Allergy Canada would like to congratulate the recipients of the sixth annual Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award: Katherine Lorette (Rothesay, NB) and Shayna Rak (Vaughan, ON). Shayna and Katherine were selected from a large number of applicants for their demonstrated commitment to raising awareness and educating others about severe allergies.
Katherine is 18 years old and will be entering her first year of engineering at the University of New Brunswick Saint John. Her heartbreaking essay focused on her allergy awareness efforts that stemmed from the tragic passing of her sister Caroline due to an anaphylactic reaction in July of 2014. She has kept her younger sister’s legacy alive through organizing fundraisers and educational events while building community awareness and support. We commend her for her courage and commitment to helping others learn about anaphylaxis.
Shayna is 19 years old and is enrolled at the University of Guelph in the biomedical science program. Having food allergies since the age of 3, she has been spreading allergy awareness throughout her life. She delivered presentations in her elementary school, founded an “allergy-friendly” baking club in high school, and speaks about allergies on university health symposium panels. Shayna has received recognition as a teen allergy advocate from Allergy Living magazine, and is an active member of Food Allergy Canada’s Youth Advisory Panel, contributing to educational resources and conferences.
Food Allergy Canada would like to thank all of the award applicants for their initiative, creativity, and commitment to raising allergy awareness and educating others in their communities. We received many excellent applications from across the country, and selecting recipients was not an easy task.
The Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award is dedicated to the life of Sabrina Shannon, an inspiring teenager who suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction in 2003. During her life, Sabrina worked to raise allergy awareness by creating the first-person radio documentary, “A Nutty Tale,” which aired on CBC radio in 2001. Since her passing, Sabrina’s parents and other members of the allergy community have kept her spirit alive by advocating for allergy-safe schools and communities. In 2005, Sabrina’s Law was passed in Ontario, providing landmark legislation that has influenced anaphylaxis policies in schools across Canada.
We are proud to honour Sabrina’s memory with this award and the Sabrina Shannon Legacy Fund.
The Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award is made possible through an educational grant from TD Securities.
Tags: Newsletter, Sabrina Shannon