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2015 Honorees
The Bakken Invitation Award recognizes outstanding contributions of service, volunteerism, and leadership. Each year, selected Honorees earn a $20,000 grant from the Medtronic Foundation to direct to a charity of their choice.
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Andrea Volfova
Andrea Volfova
Prague, Czech Republic
Cardiovascular disease
'CHOOSE LOVE AND COMPASSION, EVERY SINGLE TIME.'
Much of Andrea's early life was limited by cardiovascular disease.
Grant Recipient:
Kenya Education Fund
Bhim Mahat
Bhim Mahat
Kathmandu, Nepal
Cardiovascular disease
'ALL CULTURES CAN UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE.'
Diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, Bhim had open heart surgery to replace a damaged heart valve. Immediately after surgery, he began working to help others with heart conditions.
Grant Recipient:
Nepal Heart Foundation
David Simmonds
David Simmonds
Prince Edward (Wellington), Canada
Parkinson's disease
'WEARING A BURDEN WITH HUMOR CAN INSPIRE OTHERS.'
David has lived with Parkinson's disease for more than 20 years, devoting his time and energy to helping other Parkinson's patients.
Grant Recipient:
Parkinson Society Canada
Juan Carlos Hernández Corredera
Juan Carlos Hernández Corredera
Salamanca, Spain
Barrett's esophagus
'PAY IT FORWARD.'
Now living a healthy, normal life after treating Barrett's esophagus, Juan spends his time raising awareness for that condition in Spain, while also leading efforts to provide housing for foster children.
Grant Recipient:
Asociación de Enfermos de Esófago de Barrett de España (ASENBAR)
Kerry Kalweit
Kerry Kalweit
Pretoria, South Africa
Type 1 Diabetes
'EDUCATION IS EMPOWERING.'
Kerry doesn't let diabetes get in the way of helping young people learn how to live with the disease.
Grant Recipient:
Youth With Diabetes (YWD); IDF Young Leaders in Diabetes
Lisa Visser
Lisa Visser
Orono, Minnesota, United States
Sudden Cardiac Arrest due to a heart defect
'WORK HARD AT CREATING GOODNESS.'
Lisa suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) at the age of 26. An SCA survivor, she has volunteered time helping serve the Minneapolis homeless community.
Grant Recipient:
Temple Israel's Committee to End Homelessness
Qi Zhang
Qi Zhang
Beijing, China
Type 1 Diabetes
'YOU ARE NOT ALONE.'
Qi was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was only seven years old. She now works as a pediatric technician and volunteers to help others prevent and control the disease.
Grant Recipient:
Beijing Diabetes Prevention and Control Association
Sheila Vasconcellos
Sheila Vasconcellos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Type 1 Diabetes
'LOVE IS A POWERFUL REMEDY THAT EVERYONE CAN SHARE.'
Sheila has lived with type 1 diabetes for 30 years, but has not let that stop her from helping children diagnosed with cancer and serious blood conditions.
Grant Recipient:
Casa de Apoio à Criança com Câncer São Vicente de Paulo
Thomas Okello
Thomas Okello
Kamapala, Uganda
Damaged heart valves due to Rheumatic Heart Disease
'TREATMENT IS A MIRACLE.'
At just 16 years old, Thomas received a double heart valve replacement as a result of rheumatic heart disease. Today he is a cardiologist who works tirelessly to prevent and treat RHD.
Grant Recipient:
Uganda Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry
Twinkle VanFleet
Twinkle VanFleet
Sacramento, California, United States
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 2
'WHEN YOU THINK YOU CAN'T, MAYBE YOU ALREADY HAVE.'
Twinkle was diagnosed in 2003 with this painful, debilitating and often progressive central nervous system disorder. She now advocates for policy changes and patient support efforts that address chronic pain.
Grant Recipient:
Power of Pain Foundation
Vincent Browne
Vincent Browne
Galway, Ireland
Cardiovascular Disease
“KEEP BUSY.”
A survivor of three heart attacks, Vincent helps raise money to bring heart disease prevention and recovery to tens of thousands of people in Ireland.
Grant Recipient:
Croí, The West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation
Tanya Hall
Tanya Hall
Melbourne, Australia
Cardiac Arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation
'NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS, NO MATTER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.'
Tanya was born with a hole in her heart and a heart murmur. Frustrated with the lack of cardiac patient support groups in Australia, she founded a patient serving organization.
Grant Recipient:
hearts4heart
PREVIOUS HONOREES
Check out how these incredible individuals have used their extra lives with the help of medical technology.
| THE BAKKEN INVITATION 2014 | THE BAKKEN INVITATION 2013 |
|---|---|
|
Lucilla Bossi |
Art Amman |
OUR COMMUNITY IS GROWING
TELL US HOW YOU LIVE ON, GIVE ON
WITH THE HELP OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Share your story with us, and show the world how you are making a difference. For every story, the Medtronic Foundation will donate $10 to Project HOPE.