PRESS RELEASE
Chinese Canadian Legend Award Gala 2015
Over 400 guests attended the 2015 Chinese Canadian Legend Award Gala, organized by the Asian Business Network Association (ABNA). The event took place last night (October 31st, 2015) at the Sheraton Parkway hotel, where six recipients of the 2015 Chinese Canadian Legend Award were presented with the Award.
The six recipients of the 2015 Chinese Canadian Legend Award, in alphabetical order were: Dr. Helen Chan, Prof. Thomas Chang, Mr. John Chen, Dr. Chit-Chan Gunn, Mr. Alec Hou, and Ms. Ida Li.
Mr. Bammy Wong, President of the ABNA, says that this year marks the 16th anniversary of Chinese Canadian Legend Award, with a total of 101 recipients being recognized since 2000, and their stories published in a book. The book collections are now being kept in the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library at the University of Toronto, as well as the libraries at University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and University of Victoria.
Mr. Bammy Wong also says that ABNA is honoured to have former Senator Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy and former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba His Honour Philip Lee as the Honorary Patrons of the 2015 Award Gala. Dr. Ying Lu and Mr. Stephen Siu are the Masters of Ceremony, while Ms. Alexandra Ngan, Mr. Dennis Au-Yeung are Co-Chairs.
Chinese Canadian Legend Organizing Committee Co-chair Ms. Alexandra Ngan highlights this year’s theme, ‘Over the Rainbow, the Legend Glows’, which embodies the spirit of Chinese Canadian Legend Award: “And that is to rise above challenges in face of adversity, stay positive and give our best,” she says. “We hope that the legendary stories of our awardees will inspire and encourage each and every one of us to live a life as luminous as the rainbow, and be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
Mr. Stanley Kwan, head of the selection committee consisting of over 20 community leaders, more than half of them past award recipients, says the six recipients are selected after a rigorous evaluation process. The Committee considered nominees' personal struggles to succeed despite adversary conditions, their fearless and courageous spirit, achievements, contributions, and their motivating impact on their friends and the community.
Co-chair Mr. Dennis Au-Yeung says, “On behalf of the organizing committee, I would like to express our gratitude to the Selection Committee, the media, all the volunteers and each and everyone of you. Without your ongoing dedication and support, the Chinese Canadian Legend would not be a successful event year-after-year.”
Recipients receive accolades with the presentation of an award at the Award Gala and their inspiring stories are published in a book - Chinese Canadian Legend. Mr. Stephen Siu, Chair of the Editorial Committee, says, “The Chinese Canadian Legend award sets itself apart from other awards, in that a book about the recipients is published every year. This year, the Editorial Committee has invited one of the best writers in town, Miss Clorie Ng, to do the interviews and write the stories in Chinese. The English version was produced by Ms Connie Woo.”
VIPs attending the Gala included former Senator Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy, former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba His Honour Philip Lee, Meric Gertier, President of University of Toronto, Mr. Zhang Chuanbing, Deputy Consul-General of China in Toronto, Mr. Michael Chan, the Ontario Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, Mayor of Markham Mr. Frank Scarpitti, city councillors and over 400 distinguished guests.
The Gala’s opening ceremony was led by Band of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship York, followed by a celebration of this year’s theme featuring colourful and uplifting dance performance “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by more than 30 lovely young ballerinas from Georgia's Dance & Arts Cultural Centre. Gracing the evening’s performances were also world-renowned violinist Susanne Hou, daughter of this year’s recipient Alec Hou, and famous Canadian singer Michael Ciufo. The grand finale of the gala followed Ciufo’s powerful and touching song “I’ll Never Walk Alone” which concluded the evening with a glorious touch of rainbow.
2015 Chinese Canadian Legend Awardees’ Profile
Dr. Helen Chan
Dr. Helen Chan is a cancer specialist who has spent her whole life focusing on a rare kind of childhood eye cancer and has achieved breakthrough success in effectively treating it. She is also dedicated to bringing this treatment to every corner of the world and enable children facing the brink of darkness to grow up in a bright world. Her achievements have been recognized by the Order of Ontario and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Professor Thomas Chang
Known as the “father of artificial cells”, Prof. Thomas Chang created the first artificial cell in the world back in 1956, which brought forth many groundbreaking approaches in human health and other applications. Until this very day at the age of 82, he still continues his research and innovative work to better the future of humankind. He was awarded Officer of the Order of Canada and twice nominated for Nobel Prize.
Mr. John Chen
Internationally renowned calligraphist, Master John Chen, has over the past few decades dedicated himself to promoting Chinese culture, Chinese calligraphy, and multicultural exchange in Canada and the international arts stage. He became the President of Canada China Calligraphy Association in 2003, and in 2013 received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; the first person in the field of calligraphy to be awarded.
Dr. Chit-Chan Gunn
For over half a century, Dr. Chit-Chan Gunn has been practising medicine and is a world-renowned “pain expert” with his invention of an effective and safe treatment called “Intramuscular stimulation” (IMS) in 1970s, which is based on a combination of Chinese and Western medicine. At the age of 84, Dr. Gunn continues to develop his work, and was awarded the Order of British Columbia and a Member of the Order of Canada.
Mr. Alec Hou
With a deep love for violin, Mr. Alec Hou has dedicated his entire life to the art as a violinist, a violin teacher and even a violin maker. With 50 years of experience teaching the violin, and co-founded the Chinese Artists Society of Toronto in 1991, he has helped promote musical and cultural exchange, while raising a new generation of outstanding musicians, including his own daughter – world-renowned violinist Susanne Hou.
Ms. Ida Li
Ms. Ida is a full-time, if not “over-time” volunteer who has been volunteering for over 20 years. Since immigrating to Canada in 1993, she has transformed from a career woman to a philanthropist in action, constantly giving without seeking any returns. As Vice-president of Buddhist Light International Association (BLIA) of Toronto, she serves as the bridge with the community local and afar, while also involving in many other charitable organizations.
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