Chelsea Mitchell Receives 2020 Terry Fox Award

Prince Albert, Sk. – A special ceremony was held in Council Chambers at Prince Albert City Hall as Mayor Greg Dionne presented the 2020 Terry Fox Award to Chelsea Mitchell, the 39^th recipient of the Award. The Terry Fox Award is presented annually to a young Prince Albert resident who emulates the traits and inspiration of Terry Fox.

Chelsea Mitchell was diagnosed with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in July 2013 at the age of 12. She received 3 rounds of chemotherapy over 8 months. Her body was not responding well to the chemo so she had to receive a peripheral blood stem transplant. The entire Mitchell family moved to Calgary for the procedure. After 7 days of intense chemo and full body radiation, she had the transplant. Her family remained in Calgary during this time. The intense treatments were a success and an arduous year for the Mitchell’s concluded on a happy note, as there was no evidence of cancer cells in Chelsea's body by the end of June 2014.

Chelsea, now 19, still has challenges with the long term after effects of chemotherapy and radiation. She is considered a vulnerable person and needs to be extremely cautious so that she does not get COVID-19. She lives in Prince Albert and attends the University of Saskatchewan online pursuing her Bachelor of Science.

She is an avid soccer player, although she had to take a break from the sport for a number of years due to the effects of chemo and radiation. She returned to playing in her Grade 10 year at St. Mary High School and played her final three years in high school.

Chelsea remained positive throughout her sickness, and now is in the process of helping others in a variety of ways. Chelsea and her mother are active members of the Small but Mighty group for families who have children diagnosed with cancer. They both meet, give advice and encourage to these families, speaking from their experience.

Chelsea takes part in many fundraising activities including Silver for Gold (collecting can tabs to raise money for childhood cancers), participates in the Terry Fox Run, and has led Team Chelsea in numerous Relay for Life events in Prince Albert, including being their Honorary Chairperson in 2018.

The Terry Fox Award and Citation were established by the City of Prince Albert in 1981 to perpetuate the memory of Terry’s heroic achievement, while acknowledging a local recipient with similar ideals. Citizens are invited to nominate people for this award each year.

Recipients of the City of Prince Albert Terry Fox Award:

1981 - Bryan Alexander Souter
1982 - Cheryl Lee Ann Thompson
1983 - Kevin Ewanchyna
1984 - Janine Bristowe       
1985 - Lee Ann Frenette                    
1986 - Keri-Lynn Robins           
1987 - Kevin Russel Bird
1988 - Kevin Hradecki 
1989 - Susan Fidyk
1990 - Kris Kristoffersen
1991 - Kim Wilkinson
1992 - Jamee MacDonald
1993 - Kama Soles 
1994 - Kyle Casavant
1995 - Tara Nelson
1996 - Tyson Neufeld
1997 - Tanya Sarginson
1998 - Ryan McKinnon
1999  - Heather Mitchell
2000 - Alicia Amy Mihilewicz
2001 - Clinton Gariepy
2002 - Donovan Gobeil
2003 - Jason Nemish
2004 - Jade Elise Smith
2005 - Katherine Hayduk
2006 – Laura Patricia Hicks
2007 – Kevin Sasakamoose
2008 – Jordan Herzog
2009 – Michael Lyons
2010 – Catlin Anderson
2011 – Hannah Bell
2012 – Tristan Albert
2013 – Brittany Hudak
2014 – Konnor Shillings / Bailey Oleksyn     
2015 – Gracie Nelson
2016 – Katie Enequist
2017/18 – Donovan Fraser
2019 – Elayna Greenwood
2020 – Chelsea Mitchell

-30-

For more information please contact:      
Jody Boulet
Director of Community Services
Phone: 306-953-4800
jboulet@citypa.com