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Bios
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Micheline Ferguson - Past President and a founding member
When Micheline was asked in the fall of 1998 to join a new support group in Sudbury, she initially thought that there would be no point in joining since their daughter had finished her 3 years of treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and she didn’t feel the need to receive support. She was handling the situation as best as could be expected (at least that is how she felt). Micheline later remembered a promise she had made herself whilst in Toronto during her daughter’s treatment and realized her own experience with childhood cancer may give support to other families. Childhood cancer has been part of the Fergusons' lives since 1990 when their niece was diagnosed with Hysteocytoma, then their daughter in 1994 with high risk ALL, another niece in 1998 with Ewing’s sarcoma, the relapse of the first niece in 2002 followed by the end of her courageous battle in 2003. Through it all, Micheline had seen how the illness can impinge on families differently and for different reasons depending on their individual circumstances. Being a wife and mother of 3 boys and 1 girl, had also shown her how childhood cancer can affect each member of a family differently depending on the individual’s resilience, personality and what ever else life throws at them. Micheline is a real estate sales representative for Remax Crown Realty (1989) Inc. Brokerage.
“Being part of NOFCC has undoubtedly changed my life significantly and it has been extremely rewarding. Never did I expect the thrill I would feel with each fundraising event and the delight every time we established a new program or when we were capable of increasing an existing program. It has given me the chance to take intense life experiences and make something good of it. The community has been incredibly supportive and I have met scores of wonderful people. I feel very fortunate to have worked and to be able to continue to work with so many wonderful volunteers who share the same passion of making a difference in the lives of families dealing with childhood cancer and all desiring to be able to give the families the very best that we can.” – Micheline Ferguson |
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Jane Dupuis
Jane was born in Sudbury, the oldest of six daughters. She attended Laurentian University, achieving an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree and later attended Teachers College at Queen’s University in Kingston.
With a diverse work and volunteer experience history, Jane realized that her talents could be put to good use for the right organization. By chance, in 2002, she met NOFCC President Micheline Ferguson and first learned about the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. Having seen her mother and two of her sisters battle breast cancer, Jane had strong feelings of compassion about cancer’s smallest sufferers – the children. So in 2004 she decided to take on the position of Secretary for the NOFCC Board.
Currently a Quality Management Systems Officer for the City of Greater Sudbury’s Water/Wastewater Services Department, Jane loves pets and has enjoyed a 21+ year relationship with one special friend.
“Being a member of the NOFCC lets me feel that I am doing my bit to help. |
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Ernest Boeswald- President
Ernest joined the Board of The Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer – NOFCC in 2004. Ernest’s involvement with the NOFCC became a primary focus shortly after the death of his 10 year old daughter Reniessa. While Reniessa was receiving treatment for her Leukemia, the NOFCC provided financial and emotional support to the Boeswald family.
Ernest’s current role as a Board Member is overseeing the development and publication of the NOFCC’s quarterly newsletter the ‘Rapport’. The objective of the newsletter is to educate and update families, private contributors, area businesses, and the general public on the good work being done by the NOFCC. In addition, Ernest is the Lead Coordinator of the NOFCC’s Pike Derby event which is held annually at Whitewater Lake in Azilda.
Ernest is an employee with Cambrian College since 1999 and is currently working as a Disability Advisor with The Glenn Crombie Centre for Disability Services. Ernest has been married for 17 glorious years with wife Sonia - they met while attending Laurentian University. They have four outstanding children: Reniessa (predeceased), Keggan 10, Cohen 8, and their latest member Grayson 18 months.
“When you lose a child to cancer, you can do one of two things. You can try to forget that the whole ugly thing ever happened and stumble your way through life; or you can get involved – offer to help those who’ve helped you, surround yourself with caring positive people, and then move slowly forward with life.” – Ernest Boeswald |
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Tricia Clement
On October 17, 2005 Tricia Clement’s life changed when a doctor in the Emergency room told her and husband David, “There is a mass in your son’s brain.” The lights dimmed as their hearts broke.
Tricia was immediately flown to Toronto with her seven year old son David, where he underwent surgery the next day to relieve pressure from the Hydrocephalus from which he was suffering. A biopsy was taken and David was diagnosed with an Ependymoma brain tumour in the third ventricle of his brain. One month later he underwent a total resection under the skilled hands of his surgical team at the Hospital for Sick Children. Thirty-two radiation treatments later, the family was able to return to their “new normal” lives.
David was almost 10 years old when Tricia joined the board of the NOFCC in the fall of 2007. If not for the NOFCC David would not have been blessed with daily phone calls to loved ones or weekend visits from his father and younger brother Ben during his out of town treatment.
“I am proud to say that we were recipients of the generosity of this organization and the people of the North. I felt compelled to help others as we were helped, so here I am, doing my part to try to bring the light back into the lives of other families.” – Tricia Clement |
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Aaron Bernstein
Aaron was born in North Bay and later moved to London before relocating to Sudbury. At Laurentian University he obtained his Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree and later obtained his designation as a Chartered Accountant in 2006. He is now working at a National accounting firm in Sudbury and wants to help members of the Northern Ontario communities by acting as Treasurer.
"I believe in the services that NOFCC provides to families in need and am proud to be a part of the Board". |
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Bob Conlin
Growing up in small town Gore Bay, Bob quickly learned the importance of community involvement. Neighbours helping neighbours was the norm in his hometown and Bob has been carrying that belief wherever his career landed him.
After working down south for a number of years, Bob felt the need to move back north; to be closer to family, friends and to rekindle his strong sense of community. For Bob and his family, Sudbury was an obvious choice and for the past 11 years, Bob has owned and operated Williams Coffee Pub - located in the heart of Sudbury.
As a past member of the Sudbury Metro Centre’s Business Improvement Area (BIA), Chair of the BIA’s Safety and Security Counsel for the Downtown area, and Board Member for the Sudbury Laurels Gymnastics Club, Bob brings a wealth of business and promotional knowledge to the NOFCC’s Board. Bob’s dedication and support to the NOFCC’s cause became even more prevalent after losing his 10 year old Godchild to Leukemia in 2004.
For the past 17 years, Bob has been sharing his life with his lovely wife Sonja, their three wonderful children: Erica, Nicole, and Liam, and their two feisty dogs Lucky and Max. |
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Dave Langlois
Having been on many boards of a mostly economic development nature, I wanted to "make a difference" by belonging to a Board that makes an immediate impact on someone's life.
This Board was a great choice.
Being from Sudbury, born & raised, I wanted to give back to this fantastic City.
I am in the hospitality industry, being the General Partner / President of the Travelway Inn - Sudbury for some twenty years as well as the Owner of a property management Company.
We are here to help...and help we have & will continue to do so. |
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Vicky Wilton
Pediatric Interlink Nurse for Northern Ontario BPHE, RN (non-board member)
Vicky was born and raised in Sudbury, where she attended Laurentian University and received an undergraduate degree in Physical and Health Education, before graduating from the Nursing program at Cambrian College. Vicky has been employed with the Sudbury Regional Hospital since 1998 as a Staff Nurse on the Oncology/Palliative care unit and as a Nurse in Pediatrics and the Intensive Care Nursery. Before joining the hospital, Vicky worked a number of years with the CNIB, VON, & Bayshore.
Vicky wanted to become the Pediatric Interlink Nurse because she loves working with children and their families; plus she enjoys the challenges involved with community based programs. Vicky’s experience in oncology, pediatrics, and homecare proves that she is the right person for this specialized position.
PLEASE NOTE: The Pediatric Interlink Nurse is a paid position with the Regional Cancer Center. Vicki’s role is to provide guidance, support, and information to families of children with cancer. Vicki is a volunteer with the NOFCC and she is our connection to families dealing with childhood cancer. |
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Jackie Thoms
Is a retired Registered Nurse who has been involved in the health care system in Northeastern Ontario for over 40 years. She is a faculty member at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine – Clinical Education Division. Pre retirement, Jackie assisted communities across northern Ontario in developing and implementing strategies aimed at improving recruitment and retention initiatives of physicians and allied health care providers in their area. . She also managed the Northeastern Ontario Physician Palliative Care Education Program. Jackie enjoys volunteer participation on a wide range of professional and community organizations.
To name a few:
- Member of the Network North Foundation 2003 to present
- Co-chair of the City of Greater Sudbury Recruitment and Retention Committee 1999 to 2006
- Member of the Sault Ste Marie area Physician Recruitment Committee 2002 to 2006
- Member of the Espanola Action Committee for Recruitment 2003 to present
- Member of the North Bay Recruitment and Retention Committee 2005 to 2006
- Member of the Parry Sound Recruitment and Retention Committee 2005 to 2006ng
- Member of the Thunder Bay Physician Recruitment and Retention Council 2005 to 2006
- Honorary Member and a past Chair of the Board of Directors, Hôpital Regional de Sudbury Regional Hospital
- A member of the Board of Director with the Espanola General Hospital 2004 to 2007
- J. Thoms Consultant to small hospitals and communities in regards to recruitment and retention 2006 to 2008
- Past member of the Board of Directors at the Ontario Hospital Association [OHA] – Toronto, 2001 to 2005
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