Scholarships in honour of John Plater: Krever Inquiry

Deadline to apply is April 30th, 2024!

Hemophilia Ontario’s scholarship and bursary program is named in honour of John Plater, a tireless advocate for people with bleeding disorders and those who were affected by the tainted blood tragedy.

Hemophilia Ontario awards one scholarship in the amount of $8000 available only to Ontario residents, and four bursaries in the amount of $3000 available to all Canadian residents.

John was born in 1967, and had severe hemophilia A. He contracted HIV from tainted blood, and went on, with many others, to draw attention to the issue of tainted blood. His efforts contributed to the establishment of the Krever Inquiry and compensation for those who were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. John graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998, and maintained a legal practice assisting those affected by the tainted blood tragedy.

John served our community through involvement with the Canadian Hemophilia Society and Hemophilia Ontario. He served on many significant committees, including as co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council on the Federal Initiative on HIV/AIDS, chair of the Ontario Hepatitis C Task Force and chaired the HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Panel of St. Michael’s Hospital. He was active at Thornbury First Baptist Church, serving as Moderator and chair of the Deacons. John passed away from complications related to HIV/AIDS in 2012.

John was a mentor, friend, leader and hero to many in the bleeding disorder community. This program recognizes and celebrates John’s commitment to our community and to helping others.

You can submit your application at: https://hemophiliaontario.typeform.com/to/rIntNpFZ

Congratulations to our 2023 John Plater Scholarship recipients!

2023 John Plater Scholarship Winner

Ahmed Bashir Mohamed

When Ahmed arrived in Canada, he spoke no English. He has since learned English, earned high school grades that are mostly in the 90s, and has been admitted to the Honours Bachelor of Arts program at the University of Waterloo in Fall 2023. He has volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and Walk for Hope, which seeks to reunite refugee children with their families.

2023 John Plater Bursary Winners

Kayla Creighton

Kayla will be studying at D’Youville University this fall in the Biology Bachelor of Science program. Kayla has volunteered at a local retirement home, a day care, and in various high school activities. She is passionate about social justice and advocacy, which she connects to her career plans to explore the connection between the brain and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Teighan Hauff

Teighan will be completing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta this fall. Teighan is studying to become a teacher. She has volunteered the Edmonton School of Ballet for eight years, assisting in classes and preparing students for exams and shows, and with a literacy program for children.

Katiya Gareau-Jones

Katiya has been accepted into Year 3 (of 4) of a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree at Lakehead University in Fall 2023. She has volunteered for 8 years at a skate club working with children, with I love First Peoples, and as a youth representative on an Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.

Erin Van Dusen

Erin is a special education teacher, and is currently completing a Master of Education with a focus on technology integration at Mount St Vincent University (NS) to improve her teaching practice. Erin has extensive volunteer experience at the Nova Scotia chapter of Canadian Hemophilia Society where she has volunteered since 2005: as a camp counsellor, on the Board (as Secretary, President, and currently Vice-President), and on a CHS twinning committee.