I’m Laura. I’m a stroke survivor. I was only 23 years old when I suffered from a life-changing stroke. I was pushing way too hard in life and something had to give – it was my body. That was my wakeup call.

I’m Laura and I’m a Mental Health Advocate. I lost my daughter to mental illness and I honour her memory by advocating for change. My daughter, Ashlee, struggled from the day she was born until the day she died, and I know her life was not in vain. Through our life with Ashlee, we learned about the mental health system and worked with Grand River Hospital to get the best care for her we could.

I’m Maja. At 38 years old I had to learn how to walk again. One year ago, I suffered two debilitating strokes that took away my mobility. My motivation to walk again was my eight-year-old son Marko. I still dream about the day I can take him to the park without my wheelchair or cane.

Hi, I’m Dr. Hosek and I run the Intensive Care Unit at Grand River Hospital. I deal with the people in most need of care at the hospital and every day means life or death for my patients. I am passionate about helping people. I welcome every new challenge and every new patient brought before me.

I’m Marcel Portelance, and I’m a cancer survivor. I was given a 50-50 chance to live when I was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago. Today, I am a husband, a father of two and a grandpa of twins. I am also proud to have biked beside my cycling hero in 2011 raising $58,000 for the Grand River Hospital Foundation.