Chicago, Illinois - The Youth Leader Award known as the 'Hope and Courage Award' this year goes to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, KIDS Illiniois Advisory Board member and national Cystic Fibrosis research advocate Maddi Bertrand, presented by Dr. Susannah McColley, MD.
Bertrand, a founding member of the International Children's Advisory Network, started advocating at the first-ever iCAN Research and Advocacy Summit, held in Washington, D.C.. During the week-long event, encouraged lawmakers to speak to young people to better understand their needs, especially when living with rare, chronic, and complicated diseases. In addition, Bertrand has accepted numerous speaking engagements, and helped to host three hospital proms for in-patients.
Bertrand continued her work to improve care for young patients by supporting the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and providing a spotlight on the needs of patients waiting for donor organs. Recently Bertrand took part in a video that highlighting this effort. To view her public service announcement
, please visit: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/opinion/organ-transplant-deaths.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Congratulations Maddi Bertand!