Hi everyone, I’m Jana, the Federated Health Charities Campaign Support Lead for the 2025 campaign. I’m thrilled to work with you, our campaign volunteers, chairs and donors as we roll-out so many great fundraising events and initiatives while raising funds for an incredibly worthy cause.
I don’t look sick, but I’ve lived with Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis for over 10 years. Growing up, discussing health issues was considered improper, so when my symptoms started as a teenager, I kept quiet. It wasn’t until I was 33, that I finally sought help and was diagnosed.
My immune system is now always on high alert. Every 4 weeks I’m at a specialized clinic for biological infusions. It’s a lot to manage. It’s a lot to live with.
Twenty years earlier, my options would have been surgery or death. I’ve relied on Crohn’s and Colitis Canada from the beginning to understand what was happening with support and information. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to work, or function as well as I do. That’s why Federated Health is really important to me.
FHC supports research and treatments for many other illnesses too, some of which affect my loved ones, including diabetes and cancer. I’m proud to be part of this campaign and share these powerful stories.
As the Campaign Support Lead, I’m excited to work with Ontario’s Agencies, the OPP, and the OPS to share insights into campaign strategies, support the development of promotional materials, and connect with our 21 health charities to ensure that we’re doing our best to represent each of them during the campaign. I also get to live out a dream of being an event planner, organizing lunch n’ learns, merchandise development/sales, and this year’s silent auction. Overall, I get to bring some fun to each and every campaign while raising funds for an incredibly worthy cause.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made FHC one of Canada’s most successful workplace campaigns. Your support and dedication are truly inspiring. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime – I’d love to hear from you and discuss how we can continue to make a difference together.
Would you like to share your story with others about why you support Federated Health Charities? Do you know someone who would? Reach out to us at federated.health.charities@ontario.ca – we’d love to introduce you to your provincial government colleagues!
