My Journey is not a unique one. Many more will have to face the same journey as I did. Supporting this campaign isn’t for me. It is for those who are yet to face their own journey.

Dean Ingram BSc (Biology -1992), BEd (1992), MEd (School Leadership - 2000) was born and raised in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. A Memorial University alumni, I have been involved in Education for the past 33 years. I have been a classroom Teacher, a school administrator and was a t one time the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Federation. During that time I served on a number of Provincial Boards. As one of the Vice Presidents of the Canadian Teachers Federation I represented the Province both Nationally and Internationally. I have dedicated my life to the service of others and has served on a number of volunteer boards. In 2020 I was awarded the Governor Generals and Newfoundland Medal for Bravery in recognition of my role in responding to a Motor Vehicle Accident.

In December of 2001 I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. To that was a shock to my system was a gross understatement. Over the next calendar year I was faced with a barrage of Chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and finally a 3 week barrage of radiation therapy. Ironically at the same time my mother undergoing her own challenges as she was faced with a reoccurrence of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I became all too aware of the challenges that blood based cancers can place on those affected physically, mentally and yes financially. I was inspired to be involved because of that reality. If my involvement can assist those who are affected that will make it all worth it.

I was nominated by Greg Smith a former VOY Candidate in his own right. For me this was special and humbling given that in Greg’s professional Capacity he would have contact and be aware of so many others in the province. To have him decide that I was a worthy candidate was humbling given the others he could have chosen to put forward.

With this team I am hoping to hit a target of 75000. More importantly I hope to raise awareness for those who are facing their own cancer journey and encourage others to support those who are facing the challenge. For those who care to become involved either through donating or assisting I say thank you. It means so much to be part of this cause and I know that every penny raised will go to assist those in need.

For me this is a personal cause being a Hodgkins Disease survivor. I know others have not been so fortunate to all themselves a survivor. My efforts are dedicated to those who have not had the same ending to their journey. My mother being one. Sadly she passed after undergoing her own bone marrow transplant. I also dedicate this to the memory of a young man who passed far too young. That being Darian Hunt. This young man passed in 2019 after his own leukemia battle. I consider myself fortunate to have met the young man before this and his story and the efforts of his family to keep his memory alive through their efforts are truly inspiring to me and many others.

"For every obstacle there is a solution. Persistence is the key. The greatest mistake is giving up!"

Dwight D. Eisenhower