News Releases

Daniel Alfredsson and Other Community Leaders Join the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health to Celebrate the 2010 Inspiration Awards Recipients

March 4, 2010

Ottawa - The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health Inspiration Awards Gala celebrates people who have educated and inspired others as a result of their own experiences of mental illness. Inspiration Award recipients serve as a model of hope for others who are suffering from mental health issues and their families. 

This year’s Inspiration Award recipients include a former soldier and his wife who together faced his battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and went on to become supporters and advocates for others who are suffering; a 19 year old girl who openly shares her experience of severe obsessive compulsive disorder in order to help increase awareness and understanding about mental illness; and a 27 year old woman with bipolar disorder who has made it her mission to make sure that other children don’t feel like they must suffer in fear and silence like she did. A full list of recipients is available.

WHO:

• Daniel Alfredsson and other community leaders including Bob Chiarelli, Yasir Naqvi, Cyril Leeder, and Barbara Crook, as well as Carolyn Booth and Gord Graves from event sponsor BMO Financial Group
• Five Inspiration Award Recipients in community, personal and youth categories
• Mental Health Specialists from the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
• Aerial entertainment by Bella Circo
• Debut live performance ofYou Know Who I Am, a song inspired by Inspiration Award winners past and present composed by Ontario singer Jeanette Arsenault

WHEN:Friday, March 5, 2010, 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm

• Primary photo and interview opportunity: 6:45 to 7:25 pm
• Other highlights:
  • 7:55 – Daniel Alfredsson congratulates winners during awards ceremony and speaks of his personal connection to the cause of mental health
  • 8:00 – Inspiration Award presented for Community Category
  • 9:05 – Bella Circo performs an act entitled “Metamorphosis”
  • 9:10 – Inspiration Awards presented for Personal and Youth Categories
  • 9:45 – Jeanette Arsenault performs You Know Who I Am

WHERE:Canada Aviation Museum, 11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa

CONTACT:For more information or to schedule an interview prior to the event, please contact Karen Monaghan at 613-722-6521 ext. 6449 (mobile: 613-784-9482) or