Minister George Smitherman Awarded for His Commitment to People with Spinal Cord Injuries

Release Date:

Jun 24 2008

(Toronto, June 24, 2008) – The Honourable George Smitherman will receive the G. Kenneth Langford Lifetime Membership Award for his leadership in the Ontario healthcare sector, specifically pertaining to people with spinal cord injuries. The award will be presented at the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) Ontario’s Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2008 at Toronto Rehab, Lyndhurst Centre (520 Sutherland Drive) at 4 p.m.

There are 350-400 new spinal cord injuries every year in Ontario (approximately one per day) and current estimates indicate that there are approximately 12,000 people living with a spinal cord injury. Minister Smitherman has demonstrated a true compassion for disability issues. His commitment to client-focused and fully accessible healthcare continues to have a huge impact on the lives of people with spinal cord injuries. Without Minister Smitherman’s genuine support, CPA Ontario would not have been able to expand its services dramatically and reach as many Ontarians sustaining spinal cord injuries. By supporting CPA Ontario through years of event participation and partnerships, Minister Smitherman contributed significantly to assisting people on the road to recovery and full community participation.

The G. Kenneth Langford Lifetime Member Award is one of the most prestigious awards from CPA Ontario. This award was established in honour of G. Kenneth Langford, a founder and the former Managing Director of the Canadian Paraplegic Association, a member of the Lyndhurst Hospital Board and the former Chairman of the National Council of Veteran’s Association. Past recipients of the award include the Honourable David C. Onley, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

CPA Ontario, as an expert in spinal cord injuries, provides specific and individualized services during every step of recovery through its core programs and services. It has 14 regional/site offices across Ontario to serve those in need in local communities. For more information about CPA Ontario please visit www.cpaont.org.