LOVELEENĀ Gill has been awarded theĀ Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship.
Her citation reads: “Loveen Gill, of Mississauga, who founded the Amar Karma Organ Donation Society, the first organization in Canada to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation in the South Asian community. Her efforts have contributed to a significant growth of registered donors in the Brampton area.”
Gill was one of 11 people who received the award for creatingĀ long-lasting impact in their communities.
Ontario Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, said: āThese eleven individuals have improved the lives of people in their communities through years of selfless effort. Their compassion stands as an inspiration to us all and is a testament to the value of hard work and dedication.ā
Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Laura Albanese, added: “These individuals have made a difference in communities across the province through their commitment to helping others. Their achievements should instill pride in us all.ā
Created in 1973, the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship is the second-highest civilian honour given by the province, next to the Order of Ontario.
Gill’s organization said in a statement: “She has spent the last 10 years breaking down taboos surrounding organ and tissue donation and has single-handedly sparked a groundswell of support. She now has a volunteer team of over 90 youths, and has launched a campaign to highlight umbilical cord blood donation after donating her baby’s umbilical cord blood in 2015.”
It added: “Loveen received āLeading Women Building Communitiesā award in 2016 from Province of Ontario for her leadership in empowering women, for educating people of South Asian culture against gender discrimination.”