Valerie Rzepka

Nurse
Toronto, Ontario
Age: 34

Category:
International: Health & Wellness

Organization:
Canadian Medical Assistance Teams

Nominator:
Bill Coltart in Comox, BC.

How long has your candidate been  involved in their current volunteer work?
More than 5 years

How frequently do they volunteer?
More than 20 hours a week

In two paragraphs describe why your candidate is an outstanding volunteer, or why you think his or her work is extraordinary:
Valerie is dedicated to providing aid to  the vulnerable victims of disasters since joining Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (CMAT) in late-2005. She has been to Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and  Haiti to coordinate and oversee projects and was elected National Chairperson  of CMAT in 2008. She oversaw donations of supplies and media interviews.
Val works for Registered Nurses Association  of Ontario, is on the board of directors for the Centre for Excellence in  Emergency Preparedness, and to top it all off, she sings with the Toronto  Mendelssohn Choir.

How many people does your candidate's volunteerism impact?
More than 100 people

Describe in 2 paragraphs or less the story of why your candidate became involved with volunteering:
Val's passion began as a young Girl Guide.She spent summers at camp, learning survival techniques and fostering an  independent and confident spirit. In her nursing education and career, she  embraced the opportunity to reach out and assist and to advocate for those who  can't advocate for themselves.

Are there any special circumstances your candidate has overcome in order to help others, or during their volunteer  service?
Valerie is a single child and her family is  extremely close. In her second year studying Nursing at Ryerson University, Valerie's  mother Helen was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. She passed away  only two months later, at the age of 63, and this loss profoundly impacted  Valerie.
 
It was her mother's dream to travel to  places like Asia and Africa. Her mother's example of generosity, warmth and  compassion is strongly present in Valerie, especially as she fulfilled her  mother's dreams.

Was there any personal risk, liability or  exceptional sacrifice involved in the volunteerism?
Valerie left her position at the Hospital for  Sick Children to travel to Asia to provide tsunami disaster relief.  This is where she discovered her new found passion for disaster relief work.

In your opinion, what impact will winning Canada's Champions of Change have on your candidate, or his/her volunteering effort?
Canadian Medical Assistant Teams is  entirely volunteer-run, and fundraising is a challenge. If Valerie wins Canada's Champions of Change, they will be able to concentrate more on the  coordination of teams and supplies rather than financial concerns.

Awards your candidate has received in the past for volunteer work:
Sopman Humanitarian Award and the  Undergraduate Educational Award from University Health Network in Toronto

Links:
Canadian Medical Assistance Teams

Location of volunteering:
Internationally, wherever natural disasters strike.