Brain Injury Canada (formerly The Brain Injury Association of Canada) was formed in 2004 after a groundswell of advocacy and national activity by local brain injury associations, survivors and caregivers across the country. Everyone agreed that Canadians living with the effects of acquired brain injury, their families and caregivers, required national representation to connect and advocate for needs and services.
BRITE (Brain Injury and Teens) is our resource website created specifically for youth/teenagers aged 13-18 who want to empower themselves through knowledge and tools to take their next steps, wherever they may be in their brain injury journey.
Mission
To empower and connect the brain injury community through education, advocacy and collaboration, creating lasting positive impacts.
Vision
A better quality of life for all people affected by brain injury in Canada.
Values
In all that we do, we will:
- Foster accessibility and inclusion for people affected by brain injury.
- Promote respect, empathy and compassion for different lived experiences.
- Cultivate knowledge and information sharing with integrity.
- Demonstrate responsibility and sustainability using evidence to inform policy and guide action.
Staff
Michelle McDonald—Chief Executive Officer
Garry Dillabough—Manager, Partnerships and Development
Rachel Newcombe—Manager, Education and Engagement
Emma Chiera—Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives
Jennifer Ibe—Marketing and Communications Coordinator
More information about the organization
Dan Andreae is an award winning professor, executive director, community leader and advocate, volunteer and citizen. He has been recognized in Canada and Marquis Whos Who has named him as Whos Who in the World. He is the principal supporter for BRITE.
Dan has a compelling interest in the brain and as the first Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society and later Chair of it’s Patrons Council he has played a key role in building up the society’s profile and by instituting innovative programs. For his many contributions he was awarded the Trailblazer Award by the Alzheimer Society and recognized with a special award by the International Alzheimer Society presented by Chair Princess Yasmin Khan.
He has had the honour of having a neuroscience laboratory named in his honour at the Weizmann Institute of Science, one of the world’s top research and educational institutions. Dr. Andreae represents Canada on the Weizmann International Board and in 2018 was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award by Weizmann Canada. He is proud to be Honourary Patron of Brain Injury Canada and one 2016 was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Brain Injury Canada.
For Dan life long learning is a passion and he had taught forty five subjects at university and college. He has been the recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award at the University of Waterloo, made a Fellow of Renison University College at the university and has been Faculty of the Year twice at the University of Guelph Humber as well as being chosen for the Faculty Mentoring Award. In 2018 he was selected as Professor of the Decade by the International Association of Top Professionals and in 2020 was named Intellectual of the Year by the Top 100 Registry in New York City. Dan was awarded with an Honourary Doctorate of Laws for contributions to health care in 2008 from Assumption University in Windsor and in 2020 from Laurentian University in Sudbury.
Dr. Andreae has received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and the Ontario Medal of Citizenship by the Lieutenant Governor. His other community involvements include serving on the Board of Governors of the Michener Institute, University Health Network, Health Advisor to the Psychology Foundation of Canada and Advisor to the Weizmann Institute as well as the National Eating Disorder Information Centre at Toronto General Hospital where he is Past Chair of their Advisory Committee as well as Past Chairs of the Canadian Abilities Foundation and Neuchâtel Junior College Advisory Committee, a Canadian school in Switzerland.
We put out a report each year all about our organization.
Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC)
Brain Injury Canada is a proud member of NHCC. Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) is a coalition of organizations that represent people with brain diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada. We work collaboratively to increase awareness, education and research and improve diagnosis, treatment and supports to benefit people affected by brain conditions. Michelle McDonald, ED of Brain Injury Canada is the new Chair of the Governing Council.
Website: mybrainmatters.ca
Every Canadian Counts (ECC)
Brain Injury Canada is a partner with Every Canadian Counts, a coalition committed to improving services for the over 1.9 million Canadians living with long-term, chronic disabilities. ECC recognizes the urgent need to provide for these Canadians, and their families, as many do not have access to even the most basic supports and services.
Website: everycanadiancounts.com
Disability Tax Fairness Alliance
The purpose of this alliance is to obtain change by raising awareness among elected officials and policy-makers of the urgent need to ensure that the administration of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and other disability/infirmity measures reflects the intent of Parliament, the interpretation of the Income Tax Act by the Tax Court of Canada and the values of our society.
