SUFFERING IS A UNIVERSAL HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
IT CAN BECOME ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST TEACHERS... IF WE LET IT.
It's no secret that each one of us will experience adversity in our lives.Physical, mental, emotional... we will all encounter hardships.
Our world is eager to offer escape routes to help us avoid these experiences. This is the wrong approach.
Matthew is a passionate believer in the importance of facing our struggles head on. He has committed himself to sharing his experience with cancer and mental health, in hopes of encouraging others to face their own challenges with resiliency and courage.
Matthew is a captivating and effective speaker. He has spoken at the Vancouver Doffodil Ball in support of the Canadian Cancer Society three out of my 10 years as a ball co-chair. There is no doubt that each time Matthew attends we set a new record for funds raised in support of cancer research. It's a loud group of almots 600 guests but Matthew always commands their attention and the room is silent when he is at the podium.
I've had the pleasure of knowing Matthew McKinnon since 2017 when he began supporting the Canadian Cancer Society as a spokesperson, keynote speaker and public ambassador for our programs and brain cancer research. Matthew has an incredible ability to capture a room - I've seen him quiet down a raucous crowd of 500+ people until you can hear a pin drop. He speaks passionately and authentically about his experiences, sharing his positive outlook with audiences every time he speaks. One of his most impressive skills as a speaker is sparking curiosity, empathy and action in others. Through this work as a powerful public speaker, Matthew contributes to a better society for us all.
Jennifer Traub
Partner @ Cassels & Brockwell
and
Daffodil Ball Co-Chair
Sheila Dong
VP, Communications @ Canadian Cancer Society
