32 Canadians receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for their work with Children's Wish

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

PICKERING, ON, March 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Thirty-two exceptional Canadians have been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for their significant contributions to The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada in presentation ceremonies that were held across the country. The commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60^th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

As a partner organization chosen by the Office of The Governor General of Canada, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada nominated individuals whose contributions have helped to shape the Foundation and played a significant role in fulfilling its mission.

Among the honourees is Laura Cole, the founder of Children's Wish, recognized for her efforts and hard work started nearly 30 years ago which have led to over 19,000 children diagnosed with a life threatening illness receiving their most heartfelt wish.

Bryden Hutt, a 9-year-old from Nova Scotia was the first to be recognized for his support of Children's Wish, when he was presented his medal by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada at ceremony held at Rideau Hall on February 6^th, 2012.  Bryden, a former wish child who has raised over $20,000 for The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, was chosen to be among the first sixty recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the office of the Governor General.

Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Nominated by The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Yvonne Baxter	Lloyd Berliner	Dr. Maurice Bouchard	Paul Caissy
Brian Chapman	Doreen Chartier	Andrew Coffey	Laura Cole
Amanda Dooley	Fred Dundas	Dennis Fortnum	Lee Gauthier
Jim Grenon	Julie Hamilton	Christopher Hayduk-Costa	Dale Hintz
Westley Hood	Mae Ivany	Dr. Bill James	Jim Kapeluck
Bob Keber	Pat Lowell	Lloyd Matthews	Darren Nantes
Vinh Nguyen	Tom Novak	Florence Peach	Dan Schonberg
Jack Shayne	Jim Travers	Arthur Wickstead	Michael Wright

For more information about the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, visit www.gg.ca/diamondjubilee.

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with a life threatening illness.  Since 1984, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to over 19,000 children and their families.

This year, the Foundation expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes and is proud to have never refused a wish to an eligible child, and with the help of volunteers and generous donors, is able to grant nearly three wishes every day.  Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of a particular child and family. The Foundation is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

Image with caption: "Recent recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for their work with The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada: (left to right) Tom Novak, Dan Schonberg, Jim Kapeluck, Vinh Nguyen, Lloyd Matthews, Darren Nantes, Michael Wright, Chairperson of the Board of Directors; Jeanette Wakelin & Children's Wish CEO; Chris Kotsopoulos. (CNW Group/The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130325_C8133_PHOTO_EN_24791.jpg

SOURCE: The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Contact:
Paul St-Germain
Director, Communications,
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Phone: [phone]
Toll-Free: 1-800-700-4437
Email: [email protected]