2022 Volunteer Awards
Our volunteers’ dedication and commitment are integral to the work we do to help improve the lives of children and adults affected by Crohn’s or colitis. It is their tireless contributions that propel us toward finding a cure for these chronic diseases. Help us recognize and celebrate our volunteers by submitting nominations for our Unsung Hero, Team Excellence or Gutsiest Walk awards.
With these award nominations, our goal is to identify those who have influenced & inspired others to come together, share gifts of time and talents, to support our mission!
2023 Volunteer Award Nominations will be open soon!
This year's volunteer awards include:
The Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero award is intended to highlight the achievements of individual Crohn’s and Colitis Canada volunteers and their contribution to the fulfillment of our mission. The award recognizes a volunteer who has made a substantial contribution to the work of the organization over time and may or may not have held any particular office or been previously recognized for their efforts. This award is presented at our annual GUTS conference.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION!
Unsung Hero Award
2022 Winners
- AB - Karen Gay
- BC - Hailey Kolenda
- MB - Caitlynn Danchuk
- NL - Beverly Swackhamer
- NB - Louise Levesque-Burley
- ON - Sarah Bouchard*
- QC - Edden Gitelman
- SK - Ryan Heistad
Past recipients:
2021
- AB - Kate Latos
- BC - Matthew Sebastiani*
- MB - Michelle Johnson
- NL - Marion Ryan
- NS - Kim Rowley
- ON - Laura Shaver
- QC - Jennifer Loschiavo
- SK - Alesha Oborowsky
2020
- BC - Perry Monych
- AB - Patrizia Coppola
- SK - Dan DeForrest
- MB - David W Moore
- ON - Debra Power*
- QC - Sylvain Mantha
- NB - Mandi Lawson
- NL - Betty Priddle
* Recipient of National Unsung Hero Award
Volunteer Team Excellence Award

The Volunteer Team Excellence Award is intended to recognize a group of volunteers (Chapters, Affiliates, committees or other Crohn’s and Colitis Canada volunteer groups) who demonstrate collaboration and innovation while reaching outstanding achievements in advancing our mission with particular emphasis on the impact made on improving the lives of children and adults affected by Crohn’s or colitis. The impact could be made in any area including, but not limited to, awareness, outreach, patient support, volunteer engagement and/or fundraising.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION!
Team Excellence Award Recipients
2022 Winners
- AB - Lethbridge Gusty Walk Committee*
Past recipients:
2021
- MB - Canada Life Gut Busters
- NB - New Brunswick Gutsy Walk Committee*
- ON - Peel Chapter
- QC - Quebec City Chapter
* Recipient of National Team Excellence Award
Past recipients of what was formally known as the Make It Stop. For Life. Team Award:
2020
- NS - Halifax Chapter
- QC - Montreal Generation C
- ON - Queen's University Chapter
- BC - Fraser Valley West*
* Recipient of National Make It Stop. For Life. Team Award
Gutsiest Walk - Team Award

The Gutsiest Walk Award seeks to highlight a special combination of hard work, achievement and spirit by a Gutsy Walk committee. It is a mixture of achieving strong fundraising outcomes, along with a great team attitude, creativity in bringing the event to life and strong engagement of the local community through volunteerism, participation and donations.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION!
Regional Gutsiest Walk Team Award Recipients
2022 Winners
- ON - Hamilton Gutsy Walk Committee*
Past recipients:
2021
- BC - Victoria Gutsy Walk Committee*
2020
- BC - Vancouver
- MB - Winnipeg
- ON - York Region
- QC - Quebec City*
- NL - Exploits Valley
* Recipient of National Gutsiest Walk Award
A BIG advanced thanks to anyone who takes the time to help recognize our amazing volunteers.
Deliberation will happen throughout the summer and award recipients will be announced in the fall. If you have any questions or require further info, please contact us at: volunteer@crohnsandcolitis.ca