Featured Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Terry Kelly

In addition to being a retinoblastoma survivor, Terry Kelly’s enthusiasm for life and sheer determination have gained him international recognition as an accomplished athlete; an award-winning singer, songwriter, and entertainer; a professional speaker; and a lover of life.

As a musician, this Newfoundland native has released seven full-length recordings, resulting in seven East Coast Music Awards and nominations for four Canadian Country Music Awards and a JUNO. Terry has shared the stage with Symphony Orchestras, and has performed his original music worldwide. He is most recognized for his inspirational song, “A Pittance of Time”.

Terry is a recipient of the King Clancy Award, and Honorary Doctorates in Civil Laws and in Fine Arts. He has received the Canadian Country Music Association’s Humanitarian Award and is a member of the Order of Canada.

Keynote Speaker: Francine Buchanan, MLIS, PhD

Francine Buchanan is the Program Manager for Research Patient & Family Engagement in Research at SickKids and the Ontario Child Health Support Unit (OCHSU). In this role, Francine supports the hospital’s Child and Family Centred Care philosophy by ensuring patients and families can partner with researchers to co-create child health research that reflects the lived-experiences of patients and their families. 

Francine’s goal is to develop meaningful partnerships and facilitate communications between researchers, patients, and families to ensure research is conducted with the patient and family voice as a key driver. Francine brings a diverse background of skills and experience to the role, as parent to a SickKids patient, child health researcher, former strategy consultant, and patient research partner.