Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship
Clinton Shard was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 12. After experiencing life-changing symptoms and many stays in the hospital, Clinton became determined to live life to the fullest, knowing that his disease was unpredictable. He became a fierce champion and advocate for the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community. Through his passion for life and adventure, he inspired individuals living with IBD to embrace and overcome challenges.
The Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship Award honours the life and impact of Clinton Shard. Each year, the Shard family will select one IBD scholarship recipient to receive the award.
The recipient selected for the award shows a commitment to their studies, community, and ability to inspire others to face their challenges.
Additionally, applicants may be selected for their interest in environmentalism, sustainability, or the arts. Clinton was passionate about protecting the environment and his creative pursuits, such as beadwork and drawing.
“Clinton was a bright light in the lives of everyone he touched. Honouring his legacy of positivity, perseverance, and community service through this annual grant allows Clinton’s memory to continue to inspire others.”
—Wendy Shard (Clinton's mother), Robert Shard (Clinton's dad), and Curtis Shard (Clinton's brother)
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Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship Award Recipients
Crohn's and Colitis Canada and AbbVie Canada congratulates the following recipients of the Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship. All applications were reviewed by the Crohn's and Colitis Canada scholarship selection committee and the Shard family.
- Simon Pan, McMaster University (2023)
Simon Pan (Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship Recipient) - McMaster University
After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in high school, Simon did not to let the condition stop him from pursuing his interests. Inspired by his experiences with Crohn’s, Simon studied microbiology and immunology at Western University to understand the role the immune system plays in health and disease. Currently, Simon is in his first year of medical school at McMaster University.
Simon has helped organize the Toronto Gutsy Walk as well as serving as President of the London Chapter of Crohn's and Colitis Canada. Outside of his academic aspirations, creative writing is a passion that has helped carry him through many his struggles. Several of his short stories have been published, including in the academic journal Nature. Knowing the difficulties of being a young writer, he has given back by mentoring writers through workshops and leading youth writing groups.
- Hailey Rocha, University of Toronto (2022)
Hailey Rocha - University of Toronto (St. George Campus)
Crohn's and Colitis Canada, AbbVie Canada, and The Shard Family are pleased to announce that Hailey Rocha is the 2022 Clinton Shard Memorial Scholarship Recipient. Hailey has begun her first year studying bioethics at the University of Toronto, and her dream is to become a Child-Life specialist. Her goal is to help children and families dealing with illness more comfortably navigate the medical field and hospital processes, something that has been born from her own experiences spent in the hospital. A born leader, Hailey hopes to use her knowledge and expertise to be a role model and advocate for those around her including those in the IBD community and her two younger sisters. She takes great pride in her wellbeing and has been able to develop a strong support system. This helped in the creation of a series of videos advocating the importance of Mental Health and Wellness in youth diagnosed with IBD for Crohn's and Colitis Canada's social media pages.