A heroic commitment

For many people, Barbara Turnbull is a hero. As a teenager she was tragically gunned down during a convenience store robbery, and left clinging to life. A long struggle toward recovery ensued as she learned how to breathe again without a respirator and adjusted to life paralyzed from the neck down. Determined to live her life to the fullest, Barbara pursued her BA in Journalism, began her journalism career, and became active as an advocate for spinal cord injury research, establishing The Barbara Turnbull Foundation.

It was during this time that her life would intersect with researchers at Robarts Research Institute, initiated through an inquiry by Lynne Weaver, PhD, about a prize offered through the Turnbull Foundation. The prize, which recognizes and supports an outstanding researcher who has contributed to the advancement of world-leading spinal cord research or related fields, is one of two major initiatives offered through the Barbara Turnbull Foundation.

Established in 1997, the Foundation encourages the public to recognize and financially support internationally esteemed research being done in Canada in the field of neuroscience, particularly as it relates to the remediation of spinal cord injuries. In addition to the annual prize, the Foundation also presents the annual Dr. Charles Tator - Barbara Turnbull Lectureship featuring leading international researchers.

Impressed by Weaver's work, Turnbull became more engaged with Robarts, serving on its Council for a number of years and providing support when possible. "Robarts Research Institute is right up there with the best and is making a significant contribution to the body of knowledge needed to bring forth a cure for those living with a spinal cord injury" says Turnbull. "The people (researchers) who have been there for years - are a testament to the financial commitment from donors."

This year, Turnbull extended her support to Robarts through sponsorship of a new initiative The Public Forum in Spinal Cord Research. The forum was created to offer those living with a spinal cord injury and their caregivers an opportunity to learn more about the cutting edge research underway from leading international experts. It took place on the same day as the J Allyn Taylor Symposium in Spinal Cord Research - Robarts annual leading scientific symposium. Turnbull also took an active part in the full day, attending the Symposium, the Forum and later that evening, the Leaders in Innovation Dinner. She had the great honour of introducing Dr. V. Reggie Edgerton, the 2012 J. Allyn Taylor International Prize in Medicine recipient to dinner guests. And, she also had a chance to meet and chat with actor Alec Baldwin, the special guest at the dinner.

Turnbull remains committed to advancing the awareness of research. She would like to see more members of the public take a greater interest in the work of the scientists. "I think scientists are unheralded heroes," she says. "I hope that people can begin to appreciate how hard they have to work recognizing that every family is going to benefit."