The Volunteer Changemaker of the Year Award celebrates the rich talent, deep commitment, and boundless generosity of MODC’s amazing volunteers.
The award is presented annually to a person who has demonstrated an outstanding impact in connecting, supporting, and empowering people with disabilities through their voluntary role with MODC.
Eligibility Criteria
- Canadian resident, 18+
- Active volunteer with MODC in 2024-2025
- Demonstrated impact for MODC service users through their voluntary role
2025 Nominations are now open!
Volunteer Changemaker of the Year Award Past Winners
Congratulations to
the Volunteer Changemaker of the Year Award winners. All the winners were celebrated at MODC’s annual signature gala, The Changemakers Supper Club, held in Toronto.
2024 Volunteer Changemakers of the Year
Ron LaCombe
Ron was born in Hamilton and moved to Toronto when he was 10. He started working full time at 15 and by 17 was driving trucks and later buses. In 1974, he got married and in 1979 he and his wife Debbra had their son Kevin.
Ron’s spare time was dedicated to coaching hockey and baseball, and to many memorable family trips. He was also a service officer for the Royal Canadian Legion and squadron director for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
In 2012, Ron was diagnosed with having had 20 mini strokes, the last one of which caused some cognitive damage. Because he was unable to go back to work, his doctor suggested he get out and meet new people and maybe do some more volunteer work.
On his way out of the doctor’s office, Ron found a brochure titled “Peers Fostering Hope” from March of Dimes Canada. He applied to the program and soon after began his stroke recovery journey. Ron says meeting other stroke survivors taught him so much about his own stroke.
Ron also served as co-chair of the Toronto Stroke Networks where he met and worked alongside clinicians, therapists, and administrators all trying to improve after stroke care.
The two most important things to Ron are his family and giving back to the many people who supported him and helped him along the way.
While researching and writing his book “Not Your Dad’s Stroke,” Ron says he learned so much about how far stroke diagnoses, treatments, and rehab improved in the 20 years between his dad’s stroke and his own. He says he’s amazed at how far things have come since then, too.
“The future looks bright,” he said.
John McGowan
John had a stroke in 2012. He had no obvious speech or mobility issues and didn't receive any physiotherapy. The stroke did, however, cause several cognitive issues that meant John was no longer able to work.
John says the most useful help he received in the years after his stroke was being connected with other stroke survivors through March of Dimes Canada’s peer support programs. Sharing his story and hearing the stories of others continues to be a cathartic experience for John, offering insight into the commonalities and differences in the lives of other stroke survivors.
In 2017, John joined the executive committee of the Toronto chapter of MODC’s After Stroke program. He says his aim was to help fellow stroke survivors navigate the physical and emotional challenges that come with having a stroke and to share his “occasionally useful” advice. He’s served as either the chair or co-chair of the chapter since shortly after joining its executive committee.
John’s colleagues and peers speak highly of his level-headedness, kind spirit, honesty, and caring approach to all he does. He's a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities and is always eager to lend his time and energy to projects he thinks will increase awareness and provide accessible help to the full community in which we live.
John says he’s honoured to receive this award. But like all MODC volunteers, he says he’s getting more out of the experience than he's putting into it.
2023 Volunteer Changemaker of the Year Award Winner – Lara Kaufman
In 2013, Lara Kaufman joined March of Dimes Canada as a volunteer with our After Stroke program. From her first role supporting stroke survivors in hospital, Lara ’s involvement with March of Dimes Canada has expanded to include roles as a volunteer facilitator for the Living with Stroke™ program, participation in research and program development, support for grants and fundraising efforts, and educational outreach to health professionals and other groups. Setting an example of optimism and perseverance in her own stroke recovery journey, Lara’s colleagues and peers call her a “trailblazer” and “an inspiration to team members and other volunteers.”
2022 Volunteer Changemaker of the Year Award Winner – James Larsen
James Larsen has volunteered with After Stroke B.C. for over seven years. He wears many hats, including mentor to stroke survivors; advisor to the planning committee; and tech support and DJ for Sea to Sky Aphasia Camp. James also shares his lived experience of aphasia and, during the pandemic, launched the virtual Musical Minds program. People describe him as “the epitome of a gracious, giving, kind, exemplary human being.”
