First Schizophrenia Award

Ms. England is a freshman nursing student. She has been involved previously in the arts scene in Edmonton and has suffered from schizophrenia for some time. The award is the world's first university level permanently endowed financial award for a person with lived experience with schizophrenia or a close family member of a person with schizophrenia. Ms England's career goals include eventually working overseas with Doctors without Borders or a similar third world health NGO agency.

Drs Mardon are husband and wife and have been recognized for their advocacy of the mentally ill in Alberta and Canada. In 2007 Dr. Austin Mardon received the Order of Canada for his work as a person with lived experience with schizophrenia and advocacy. He is also a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Alberta. Before becoming ill with schizophrenia Austin Mardon was a member of an Antarctic Meteorite Recovery Expedition near the South Pole where he assisted in the recovery of over 700 meteorites. He was born in Edmonton and raised in Lethbridge, now residing in Edmonton.

"Schizophrenia throws up so many barriers in life- especially in pursuing education. Money should never be one of those barriers. Hopefully this scholarship helps in a small way. We have had many financial barriers to our past education!," says Austin & Catherine Mardon.

Persons and family members can now apply for the next scholarship through the University of Alberta's Specialized Support and Disability Services, annual deadline is September 30. For more Information on how to apply: https://www.registrar.ualberta.ca/ro.cfm?id=574

Donations are still being accepted to expand the number of schizophrenia & mentally ill person scholarships at the University of Alberta.

Contact: Austin Mardon CM
Telephone: 587-783-0059 Alternative: 780-378-0063
Email: aamardon@yahoo.ca 
Website: www.austinmardon.org