Foundation Announces New CEO

May 2009

Ian Young, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Childhood Cancer Foundation – Candlelighters Canada, is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Davidson to the position of President & CEO of the Foundation, effective May 4 th, 2009. Ms. Davidson replaces David Stones who is retiring from the CEO role.

“Our Board is delighted to have attracted a candidate of Megan’s exceptional experience and qualifications,” says Mr. Young. “Our Foundation has a long and honoured track record in the fight against childhood cancer at the national level. We are confident that Megan Davidson will strengthen further our funding of childhood cancer research and continue to improve the reach and impact of our many family support programs.”

Megan Davidson brings to the CEO position an appropriate blend of private and not-for-profit sector experience.

Ms. Davidson graduated with a law degree from the University of Ottawa and was Called To The Bar in 1990. She then joined Bell Canada as Legal Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary and was subsequently promoted to a number of executive and senior management roles within Bell and its subsidiary company, Bell Nexxia. Ms. Davidson excelled in roles requiring leadership skills, relationship building and strategic alliances. She culminated her career at Bell in the position of Executive Director Sales, Enterprise.

After her Bell career, Ms. Davidson moved to the not-for-profit sector as Chief Operating Officer, Canada for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Ms. Davidson has also enjoyed a number of volunteer leadership roles, including a Board Member for the YWCA of Greater Toronto and Chair of its Fundraising Committee, spearheading a $60 million capital campaign for the YWCA’s Elm Street Centre in downtown Toronto.

“I’m looking forward enormously to the challenges of the CEO position,” Ms. Davidson says. “Cancer is by far the leading disease cause of death of our precious Canadian children. By continuing to shine a spotlight on this important issue, and through sound business strategy and alliances, we will continue to push the funding envelope. Our beacon is a 100% cure rate for all childhood cancers, and a Canada in which all our families have the support they need to help them through their cancer journey.”

In making his announcement, Mr. Young also thanked David Stones for five years of exceptional leadership, determination and contributions to the growth and stability of the Foundation.

Founded in 1987, the Childhood Cancer Foundation – Candlelighters Canada has been a key organization in the fight against childhood cancer at the national level. The Foundation is a primary funder of national pediatric cancer research through the C-17, an organization comprising all 17 of Canada ’s children’s hospitals and cancer treatment centres. The Foundation also administers a range of carefully selected family support programs, including a Family Support Kit, a Scholarship Fund, a Benevolent Fund, a Parent and Support Group Infrastructure Fund and an information-rich website. Later in 2009, the Foundation will launch a major initiative to help Canadian teachers deal with childhood cancer in the classroom through a range of virtual teaching assists and information. Companion projects will provide virtual and blog platforms to connect teens and families, and see the national release of an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia DVD.

For More Information:
Mary Lye
Director, Marketing and Communications
Childhood Cancer Foundation – Candlelighters Canada
416 489 6440 X19
1 800 363 1062 X20
mlye@childhoodcancer.ca