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Way to go!
by Lori MacEwen, presented at the 2002 MBC Conference in Oshawa, Ontario
For those of you who were unable to attend Multiple Births Canada’s 2002 Annual General Meeting and Conference in Oshawa, you missed a great time. For those of you who were there, I know you had a great time. I hope you enjoy the photos of everyone dressed in their ‘groovy’ clothes!
Durham Region POMBA put together a wonderful Conference and one of the highlights of the weekend was the 2001 Making a Difference Awards. As most of you know, the Making a Difference Awards were created in 1999 in memory of our founder, Sheryl McInnes. The awards were established to acknowledge outstanding contributions and achievements within the multiple birth community. These awards are made to celebrate those people who have demonstrated excellence, courage and exceptional dedication. They are divided into three categories: local, national and international.
This year we received some excellent nominations. This made the job of choosing only one winner per category very difficult. The committee consisted of Annette Minutillo, Darlene Nagy, Nancy Young and myself. We were inspired as we read about the fantastic work being done by so many dedicated and committed individuals. Multiple Births Canada can be proud of the many volunteers who are making the organization a great success.
At the banquet the following individuals won the 2001 Making A Difference Awards. Once again we would like to congratulate them on their dedication, determination and hard work. You truly have “made a difference” and Multiple Births Canada (MBC) is thankful to have you so committed to our organization.
Dr. Geoffrey Machin - International Make a Difference Award
Dr. Machin has a very impressive background in the study of multiple births. Since the early 1990’s he has generously been involved in working with Multiple Births Canada. He was a member of MBC’s advisory board and collaborated with MBC to establish the zygosity program for multiple birth families at the University of Alberta. Dr. Machin presently works in Oakland, California as a researcher and professor. The great news is that he is returning to Canada in 2003!!!
Dr. Machin’s past contributions include his attendance at the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada’s Consensus Conference on the Management of Multiple Pregnancy (1998), being a Key Note Speaker at the Montreal Conference (1994), and contributing to the TQQ’s 2001 book, “Finding Our Way”. Most recently, Dr. Machin assisted the MBC board in the development of a policy regarding multiple birth zygosity terminology.
One nominator summed up Dr. Machin’s involvement with MBC by stating, “Dr. Machin has been a champion for multiple birth families around the world and has been an especially dear friend to Canadian multiple birth children and parents, and to MBC over the past ten years”. A dear friend indeed……congratulations Dr. Machin and thanks!
Unfortunately, Dr. Machin was not in attendance, however here is his response in winning in the International Category:
Lori - what amazing news!
I think I got started on the twin stuff because of the great problems with twin transfusion, and that is still an area of interest and concern for me. But it soon became clear to me that parents had the right to know what kind of twins they have - monozygotic (MZ) or dizygotic (DZ) - and that twins need to know this themselves. So that has been a double crusade: 1) to make the zygosity test available at cost through my good friend and colleague Dr Fiona Bamforth in Edmonton, Alberta, and, 2) to educate parents and physicians not to talk about “identical/fraternal”, but MZ/DZ. That Multiple Births Canada has changed over is, I think, a sign of good leadership. The Twins Magazine in the USA is about to make the change also, because I have managed to get them to understand why “identical” is so confusing for parents of MZ twins, when they can so clearly see differences!
Although my wife and I are enjoying life in California, we will be returning to Canada to retire at the end of 2003. We will be in our home in Victoria, with just a little more time on our hands. At that stage, I would certainly like to get back on board with MBC, if I can help in any way with teaching, information and research.
Again, my heartfelt thanks for this award, which is the best thing that has ever happened to me in all my work with and for twins. Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to all the other MBC folks. MBC does a really first class job as a resource for twins. Just about the best in the world.
MBC people might want to know that Public TV will soon be running a series about the Human Genome Project. It is called “Secrets of the Sequence”. In the USA I think it will be airing in June, but I expect it varies from station to station. One of the programs will include some stuff on twins -why are MZ twins not identical? and also a section on familial MZ twinning. So you will be able to look at some of my work and thoughts on those topics. Look out for it!
Best personal regards,
Geoff Machin, MD
Geoffrey.Machin@kp.org
Donna Launslager - National Making a Difference Award
Donna has been involved in Multiple Births Canada for many years and has been a major contributor to the entire multiple birth community. She has served on committees, written publications and consulted on various projects….all while raising five children, four of whom are the same age!
Donna’s most recent involvement has been with MBC’s Mapping the Future Project. She was the Health and Education Director, the Chairperson for the Triplet, Quad and Quint Registry, and the Director of Program Development. In addition, she has been a consultant on various projects for Statistics Canada and Health Canada.
Donna has held many appointments, sat on numerous committees, represented Multiple Births Canada in a number of government initiatives, co-ordinated lots of projects, assisted in the organization of workshops, written publications and has made presentations. To say that Donna is deserving of this award is an understatement.
Donna’s nominator states “Donna is beyond doubt an amazing individual, a role model, an altruistic person”. I think we would all agree. Congratulations Donna and thanks!
Here are a few words from Donna upon winning in the National Category:
Being selected as the recipient of the 2001 National Making A Difference Award was a huge surprise for me. I am deeply moved that someone thought to nominate me. I feel especially honoured and humbled because there are so many deserving candidates who devote countless volunteer hours to further Multiple Births Canada’s mission.
Having volunteered with POMBA Canada and Multiple Births Canada since 1987, I am often asked what has kept me going through all these years of advocacy and who has encouraged and supported me. It is easy to become discouraged, especially when the professional community is slow to respond to our efforts. However, my commitment to my mission through the years comes from my deep belief that God gave me my quadruplets for a reason. Their birth was a true miracle. Our babies were conceived spontaneously; there was no history of multiple births on either side of the family, I was not receiving infertility treatment and they were all born healthy at 36 weeks. Furthermore, I was 31 years old at the time and had a history of stillbirths prior to the birth of our son, who was then 15 months old.
My source of inspiration over the years has come from my mentors, three very special people – Patricia Malmstrom, Dr. Elizabeth Bryan and Dr. Denise Avard (former Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Child Health). I could not have done it without their unconditional support and encouragement. Also observing the successes enjoyed by Twin Services in the USA and the Multiple Births Foundation in the UK motivated me to strive for a similar achievement in Canada.
I don’t know if I have any special skills other than my very deep desire to see change. I have a business background and before the birth of my children, I worked for many years as a commercial property/casualty insurance underwriter. I have always recognized the importance of team building and individual, group and organizational strengths. I believed that POMBA Canada could not achieve the desired results unless they worked together with all the stakeholders. Building relationships has been fundamental to the success. One of the major responsibilities has been to ensure that appropriate members have been brought to the MBC collaboration.
Working with the Canadian Institute of Child Health, an organization with a long history of leading coalitions, to solve problems has been and continues to be crucial. Starting this collaborative journey has been exciting yet sometimes stressful. Sustaining it is certainly a challenge. Donna
Vicki Riley - Local Making a Difference Award
Vicki, a mother of twins plus one, is again no  stranger to most of you. We watched her in action last year at the Annual General Meeting and Conference in Barrie. She was the president of her local club, and recently she became even more involved at the national level. We congratulate Vicki Riley of Barrie Parents of Twins and More for winning in the local category.
Vicki is involved in Multiple Births Canada at many levels. She was president of her local club and is presently the editor of Multiple Moments. She has brought her energy and enthusiasm to this national publication and should be commended for doing such fantastic work. As if Vicki is not busy enough at the local level, she most recently has taken on the role of Business Services Manager for Multiple Births Canada. Again, we thank her for always coming forward when a vacancy needs filling.
Vicki is described by one nominator as being “a dynamic and excellent president”. Another nominator writes “Vicki took me under her wing and listened, talked and e-mailed me through a very chaotic nine months…..she offered help to a complete stranger”. The nominator goes on to say “ If there were more people like her out there, the world could be a much friendlier place”. We would have to agree. Congratulations Vicki and thanks!
Here are a few words from Vicki upon winning in the Local Category:
I still find it hard to believe that I won this award. I was just sitting there enjoying a nice glass of wine in my 70’s hair-do, listening to all the wonderful things being said about our MADA International winner and then our National winner and then…No Way! Shocked doesn’t quite explain how I felt at that very moment.
I feel truly honoured to have been nominated and chosen to receive this award in the local category. I work with an amazing group of women in Barrie and have thoroughly enjoyed the last 7 years. Our local chapters are the foundation of Multiple Births Canada; it all starts there. The Barrie chapter has recently increased its membership considerably, held its most successful Spring Sale ever and had no problem filling the executive positions at their April AGM. This is not due to one person, this is due to a fabulous bunch of moms who get together once a month in order bring awareness to each other, new or expectant parents and caregivers in their community.
I thank everyone who took the time out of their very busy days to nominate me for this award; I share this honour with you. Multiple Thanks! Vicki
Mary Finer of Durham Region POMBA - Runner-Up Local Category
Mary is no stranger to the twin community.  She is the daughter of a twin and she herself has twin daughters. Mary’s nominator states that she is a great asset to the chapter as she “leads by example”….giving support and encouragement along the way.
The nominator states, “if it’s the little things that count, Mary Finer should win a big reward”. Mary provides mother support and breastfeeding support while organizing weekly playdates for members of the chapter.
She has been known to make a casserole for a member, do some baking for the playgroup, fundraise for her chapter…“lots of little things” says her nominator. All of those little things that Mary has done have not gone unnoticed… congratulations Mary!
As mentioned, there were some great nominations, and this made the committee’s job extremely difficult.  Below, please find the names of the ‘Honourable Mentions’. These individuals received a small gift and a certificate of appreciation for their commitment to the multiple birth community.
For the National category, Bonnie Shultz was recognized. Her nominator stated, “I have known Bonnie personally for over twelve years and her sense of commitment, drive, creativity (all I can say is Wow!), ability to make parents feel calmed and rooted, foresight and ability to make our products the ‘best they can possibly be’ is unparalelled”.
Kimberley Weatherall was also recognized and her nominator stated, “Kim is an amazing woman, with an amazing attitude, who believes wholeheartedly that she can help to make a difference to Canadian families of twins, triplets and more. And she does so constantly and consistently…in multiple ways”.
In the Local category we would also like to congratulate the following individuals for their continued support and dedication to their chapters. I think the quotes speak for themselves.
Karen Kennedy’s (Toronto POMBA) nominator wrote, “I have only met Karen once, but she has had a profound impact on my life, and on the health and well being of my family, as well as on countless others like us”.
Maureen Lawrence of Durham Region POMBA, was described by her nominator as being “the most friendly, approachable, generous woman I have ever met”.
Sarah Seed’s nominator wrote, “without Sarah, Chatham-Kent POMBA and the support that it offers its members would not be in existence”.
Sandi Webster’s nominator sums it up by stating, “Multiple Births Montreal is very fortunate to have such a member. There is no one in the club that has put as much time and energy into MBM”.
Sherry Williams of the Twins Plus Association of Brampton was noted by her nominator as having “worked continually to promote our association and welcome new parents of multiple births to our community”.
On behalf of the 2001 Making a Difference Awards Committee, I would once again like to congratulate everyone above for their tremendous commitment to Multiple Births Canada. As it has been said, without volunteers there would be no Multiple Births Canada. As you can tell from all the quotes above, MBC is fortunate to have so many terrific volunteers.
We know that there are even more fabulous volunteers out there, so we challenge everyone to nominate someone for 2002. There are individuals out there right now “making a difference” so let’s say “thanks” by giving them the recognition that they deserve.
I hope to see everyone again, next year in Ottawa!
Lori and her husband John are members of Temiskaming Multiple Births. They have two-year-old dizygotic boys, Tyler and Brayden.
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