Jan. 15, 2015 – Vancouver – Margaret Trudeau, mental health advocate, famed Canadian speaker and former wife of Pierre Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada, says she has a vested interest in supporting the British Columbia Brain Injury Association’s Annual Fundraising Cocktail Gala, on February 5th.
“I will be sharing personal anecdotal stories to weave my message, which is about finding the courage to face your diagnosis or injury – whatever it may be – and going through the process of acceptance to find new ways of being,” says Trudeau.
Tickets are now selling for the Gala, which organizer Susanne Sherwood says will raise funds and awareness for the BCBIA and the critical work it does to improve the lives of people living with a brain injury in BC.
“It’s so important for the community to get behind this organization and the life-changing work it does for prevention and British Columbians living with a brain injury,” says Sherwood. “We have a great night and fantastic speakers lined up.”
Trudeau, who has spoken publicly about her own bipolar diagnosis, insists community support is key to addressing the stigma attached to mental illness and brain injury to encourage the healing process.
“My goal is to make people laugh, cry and open their minds. To get rid of fear and ignorance.”
Brain injury awareness advocate Ellie Ennis will also present at the gala her personal story of loss, injury and what it takes to recover.
“I want to get across the message that individuals with a brain injury have a great deal of unseen potential and all of us have valuable insight,” she says.
Fred Lee, host of CBC Radio One’s The Early Edition, is the gala auctioneer.
The Gala, which includes a cocktail party, speakers and a silent auction, will be held Feb. 5 from 6:30pm to 9pm at the Winsor Gallery at 258 East 1st Avenue.
Click here to buy Gala tickets
Media Contact: Susanne Sherwood – email: susannes@nullclassiclifecare.com phone: 778-238-2434.
More about Margaret Trudeau:
Margaret Trudeau has been speaking as an advocate for mental health awareness for the past 8 years. Facing her own bipolar diagnosis, she has been able to inspire and educate others by sharing the story of her own journey.
She has a book coming out this Spring called The Time of Your Life – Looking Forward to a Joyous Future. It’s about seniors looking to their futures, coping with change and looking after their own mental health.
She has been inspiring Canada and beyond to break down the stigma associated with mental health and brain injury.
Through her personal anecdotes, she has inspired audiences to choose compassion over fear, empathy over ignorance.
