Team and Board - Island Kids Cancer Association

Kim Bull

Board Member

On April 17, 2021, Kim’s healthy, athletic 16 year old daughter was unexpectedly diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL and in an instant and without warning, everything changed. For the next 2.5 years, intense chemotherapy treatment and travel between BC Children’s Hospital and Victoria General Hospital became their new norm, impacting the entire family. During that time, IKCA became a life line for so many reasons; between the financial support with gas, ferry costs and food, mental health support/counselling, and regular opportunities to connect with others who were navigating the same experience.

After her daughter’s treatment was completed and she had moved into the long term follow up phase, Kim decided to join the Board given her gratitude to IKCA and her desire to “pay it forward” in a meaningful way. She brings both personal lived experience as a parent-caregiver, but also brings her experience as a Youth & Family Counsellor who has worked with families within the school system for 20 years. It is Kim’s hope that her first hand experience can provide some support and guidance to families who find themselves navigating the same reality.

The journey can be a lonely and isolating one, and no matter how much support one has from family or friends, there is nothing quite like knowing that the mom you are being introduced to feels as helpless, as vulnerable, as angry, as confused and as scared as you!

Kerstin Heilgenberg

Board Member

At the age of 6, Kerstin’s son received a cancer diagnosis for Burkitt’s Lymphoma/Leukemia—a moment that reshaped their world. The following year unfolded within the walls of BC Children’s Hospital. The family learned to straddle the line between two parallel lives: one parent tending to the sibling and sustaining a sense of normalcy at home, while the other parent stayed at the hospital alongside the young patient.
Kerstin joined as a member of the board hoping to provide the insider perspective of a parent with lived experience while at the same time bringing her expertise as a university professor specializing in intercultural business communication to the table. Kerstin strives to contribute to the IKCA’s mission supporting families with childhood cancer in meaningful ways.

Michelle Purvis

Family Programming Coordinator

Michelle brings 27 years of experience in fostering compassion and connection, specializing in supporting children with diverse learning needs, complex medical conditions, and their families. Since 2013, IKCA has been integral to her family’s well-being, particularly following her daughter Madrona’s cancer diagnosis. Through this experience, Michelle has developed a deep understanding of the critical importance of support and community both during a pediatric oncology journey and as a bereaved family member. She feels blessed to be part of the IKCA team, contributing to the ongoing mission of supporting the health and wellness of island families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer.

Sophie Dixon

Director of Communications & Marketing

Sophie brings over a decade of experience in communications and marketing, creating and delivering impactful campaigns for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and businesses across Canada, Australia, and the UK. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of supporting charities including United Way, NSPCC, and BBC Children in Need.

Sophie’s work has consistently centered on driving meaningful change through purpose-driven initiatives. She thrives in environments where creativity meets social impact, and is deeply committed to building brand identities that resonate with communities. Sophie is dedicated to helping IKCA make a difference in the lives of children and families on Vancouver Island, ensuring they receive the care, support, and community they deserve.

Sophie lives in Sooke with her husband and son. They embrace the outdoors, whether it’s hiking, biking, or exploring new places. Traveling as a family is one of their greatest joys, and they love making memories through their adventures.

Matt James

Board Member

Matt has come from a professional rugby career, transferring his knowledge in coaching high school rugby at Saint Georges in Vancouver for seven years. Since moving to the island with his family, Matt’s passion for helping families and his love for golf led to his connection with IKCA, where he initiated and helped to kick start the charity’s 1st Annual Golf Tournament.

Matt’s commitment to helping families resonates through his insurance company where he strives to reach out to as many individuals and businesses, providing peace of mind and insurance solutions through his knowledge and support.

The important work that IKCA does for families relies on teamwork, and personal connections. Matt brings these values to the charity, through his business and sport background, where he is currently part of the Cowichan Valley 49ers soccer team.

Carolyn Hahn

Treasurer

While going through chemotherapy treatment herself in 2021, Carolyn was moved by a news story about what children, their parents, and their families are faced with when given a cancer diagnosis here on Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands. Her cancer journey, including navigating the diagnosis and treatment, was daunting as an adult with treatment and care given in Victoria. Although exceptional treatment has been provided by BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, before IKCA there was limited after-treatment support locally on Vancouver Island. She immediately reached out to Island Kids Cancer Association asking how could she help.

Carolyn volunteered at the 2022 IKCA Golf Tournament and has since joined the Board as Treasurer. Carolyn has over 30+ years of experience in accounting from managing large for-profit corporations to working with not-for profit organizations; offering IKCA her varied wealth of experience.

Dr. Ewa Lunaczek Motyka

Board Advisor

Ewa Lunaczek-Motyka has worked as a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at the Victoria General Hospital since July 2009. Prior to that, she completed her fellowship training at the B.C. Children’s Hospital. She recognizes the challenges that Vancouver Island patients and families face, having to travel to Vancouver, and is enthusiastic about helping to support them to be closer to home whenever possible.

She is extremely grateful for the terrific team she works with both in Victoria and Vancouver. She is volunteering as a board advisor for the “Island Kids Cancer Association” as she sees first hand every day how important it is for families facing cancer to have a local support network, both from an emotional and financial standpoint. She started “Jam for the Kids”, a fundraiser for the Victoria General Hospital Pediatric Oncology clinic, in 2011, and hopes to continue it annually to raise funds for the Island Kids Cancer Association.

Dale Samsonoff

Chair

Dale has served on the IKCA Board since 2018. Having lost multiple family members to cancer, he is deeply committed to supporting families navigating cancer diagnoses and treatment. Dale brings over 30 years of experience as a Human Resources professional, with a strong focus on leadership, governance, and a principled, people-centred approach to decision-making.

In addition to his work with IKCA, Dale is an active community volunteer. He has contributed his time to initiatives supporting independent senior care, housing for adults with disabilities, and coaching adult competitive sports. He is currently the Manager of HR Planning and Programs with the District of Saanich.

Jenna Remedios

Programs and Partnerships Lead

Jenna moved to Victoria in 2019 and started working with IKCA in the spring of 2020. Jenna’s passionate about connecting with community, taking her dog on hikes, and creating enjoyable, meaningful experiences for others; whether she is working on the front lines or behind the scenes.

Jenna graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Since then she has worked in the disability-sector, post-secondary education, events, career development, and recreation. At the heart of everything she does is people, making her enthusiastic about the positive impact that the Island Kids Cancer Association brings to the community.

Jamie Hellard

Events Coordinator

Jamie’s mission, in her personal and professional endeavours, is to use effective communication to forage connection and enhance relationships. She is currently a fourth year student at the University of Victoria, pursuing a degree in History and Communications while competing nationally as a varsity swimmer. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a masters degree in Community Development. Jamie considers herself a West Coast person, having moved to Victoria in 2014, and she loves exploring all that the Island has to offer with her partner, family, and dog.

Having previously worked in education, events, and digital storytelling, Jamie is passionate about connecting with individuals through verbal, written, and interpersonal communication. Jamie was a part of IKCA’s volunteer network for a few years, and is honoured to now have the opportunity to contribute to the work that Island Kids Cancer Association does for families on the Island in a more robust capacity.

Hope Milloy

Administrative Coordinator

Hope is a wife, a mom of 1, and an artist has lived in Victoria the past 8 years. Hope’s mission has always been to make a difference through people by establishing cohesive teams and partnerships. She brings to IKCA more than a decade of experience working with non-profit sport organizations. In those roles she was a Volunteers Committee board member and meet official’s coordinator.

Hope planned and led volunteer recruitment and training for many different roles and worked with different committees to ensure each event’s volunteer requirements were met. She feels passionate about supporting IKCA and is honoured to be involved with an organization that supports and prioritizes families the unique way IKCA does.

Tania Downey

Family Navigator

In Nov 2012 Tania’s life completely changed when her son Zachary was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. After countless trips to Vancouver for treatment Zachary succumbed to his disease in May 2014. After her son’s passing she realized that the community needed more services to help with bereaved families during the grieving process. In connection with Island Kids Cancer she became the voice of the bereaved bringing a different layer of understanding to the Oncology journey. She is now the Family Navigator and feels privileged to work one on one with IKCA families helping them navigate through their own personal experiences right from diagnosis.

Tania comes to Island Kids Cancer Association with over 30 years of experience in the Medical and Administrative field, combined with her life experiences she is able to provide support and resources for these families on a more personal level.

Cathy Costigan

Touchstones Mental Health Program Advisor

Cathy has been part of Island Kids Cancer Association since 2018. She values the opportunity to help other families along the difficult journey of childhood cancer, a journey that she and her family began in 2010 when her daughter was treated for a brain tumour. Cathy is a psychologist and university professor specializing in child and family mental health. She strives to use these skills to meaningfully contribute to the IKCA’s mission of supporting kids with cancer and their families at all phases of their journeys.

Susan Kerr

Founder / Executive Director

As Founder and Executive Director of IKCA, my personal journey with my son gave me valuable insight to the gaps and critical needs that were not being met. My family was not the exception.

In 2005, my son Jacob at the age of 5 led us on a long, winding path through childhood cancer and we had no choice but to learn everything we could about cancer and its effects on our son, our family, our ability to put food on the table and our mental health and wellness. Jacob unfortunately passed in 2019, but not before leaving a legacy of support through his journey.

Working as a Pediatric Oncology Patient / Parent Liaison for 8 years with a provincial organization ignited my passion to support Vancouver Island kids and families while spreading awareness and building on numerous relationships throughout Victoria and Vancouver Island. Island Kids Cancer Association was formed based not only on gaps in services, but unique and individual stories of hardship, resilience and courage.

I am honoured to be part of an amazing team who truly understands and cares, working together for kids and families affected by childhood cancer.

Life can be unpredictable and when our children get sick we often feel helpless and lost. IKCA walks with families, helping them navigate and receive much needed support through uncertain times.

Team & Board

Our Team

Susan Kerr

Tania Downey

Jenna Remedios

Hope Milloy

Jamie Hellard

Michelle Purvis

Sophie Dixon

Our Board

Dale Samsonoff

Carolyn Hahn

Matt James

Kerstin Heilgenberg

Kim Bull

Cathy Costigan

Dr. Ewa Lunaczek Motyka

Kim Bull

Kerstin Heilgenberg

Michelle Purvis

Sophie Dixon

Matt James

Carolyn Hahn

Dr. Ewa Lunaczek Motyka

Dale Samsonoff

Jenna Remedios

Jamie Hellard

Hope Milloy

Tania Downey

Cathy Costigan

Susan Kerr