Jacob Cramer, at age 15, is the founder and executive director of Love For The Elderly, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that our elders receive the utmost care and compassion in their final and most precious stage of life. A strong advocate for social reform, Jacob has given talks and speeches throughout the globe in his pursuit of inspiring others to break down age-related barriers. Although he is just a high school student, his maturity and compassion proves that he is just the right person to generate positive change. His age shows that anyone can make their mark on the world and strive to inspire others to help people, creating a ripple-type effect. He resides in Cleveland (Ohio) with his loving family.
In 2005, at the age of 36, and only three months after giving birth to a beautiful daughter Lily Rose, Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. Upon learning of this life-altering diagnosis, Heather, together with her husband Cameron, embarked upon a search to find the best mesothelioma treatment care available. Their search eventually led them to Dr. David Sugarbaker, a renowned mesothelioma surgeon at the Boston based Brigham and Women's hospital. Dr. Sugarbaker recommended a relatively new surgical procedure called extrapleural pneumonectomy, a groundbreaking treatment option offered through the International Mesothelioma Program. Although there were some risks associated with the procedure, it also carried promise for the best possible outcome. Heather, with full support from her husband and family, agreed to have the surgery.
Today, Heather Von St. James is a ten-year mesothelioma cancer survivor and continues to provide unending inspiration to mesothelioma victims around the globe. She carries out her mission to be a beacon of hope for those afflicted with mesothelioma by sharing her story of faith, love and courage both as a keynote speaker at conferences and through social media forums.
Dean is very passionate about motivating others using his successful struggle for life to empower audiences. He challenges them to dare to dream and believe in themselves with his own life experience as the motivational tool. Dean created his company DMC Motivational over 10 years ago; Since then he has travelled the world speaking with groups and organisations as diverse as Primary School Children to Prime Ministers.
What is so amazing about Dean Clifford you may say?
Simple he is a survivor! Dean was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa which is commonly referred to by the media as Cotton Wool Kid, he was not expected to live past early childhood (5 years) let alone survive and contribute so immensely in the world to date by sharing his story and encouraging as many people as possible to believe in themselves and achieve their dreams.
Dean’s life is one of extreme pain and hardship, yet he has never wavered from his own dreams to be a productive member of the community working and contributing.
Dean’s story is powerful, moving and empowering, an audience is taken on the emotional roller coaster –that is Dean’s life! Dean sharing his story- is life changing and makes one look seriously at life and what we all take for granted. Dean has something unique and special to offer to everyone, from all walks of life and every age group, corporation, or business simply by sharing his story!
Dean motivates, encourages and empowers all who come in contact with him, His Motivational presentations inspire everyone to follow their dreams and believe in themselves the way Dean has throughout his life. You most definitely come away inspired, realising what the power of One can actually achieve.
In 2004 Dean became the first National Ambassador of ACE (Australia’s Disability Employment Services Peak Body). This is a voluntary role helping promote employment awareness to businesses and communities throughout Australia for people with disabilities.
Dean is also the only official Ambassador of the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Football Club.
Dean is an advocate for DEBRA as mentioned in the opening. This is a voluntary organization to raise awareness for those and their families afflicted with Epidermolysis Bullosa (Cotton Wool Kids). This is a tragic and debilitation disease with no cure, usually containing an early death sentence. Dean has baffled medical science with his sheer will and determination to survive and fight for life. It has been said that few would be able to deal with the intense level of pain that those with Epidermolysis Bullosa have to deal with every single day of their life.
On top of all that Dean is an integral team member for Ken Mills Toyota – Kingaroy and Nambour Dealerships.
And that is just the start of Dean’s incredible life story.
Journalist and cofounder of Women's Media Association AFEM, Congolese Organization.
Chouchou Namegabe is a Congolese activist, radio journalist, and founder and director of the organization South Kivu Women's Media Association (AFEM in french). Ms. Namegabe trains rural and urban Congolese women as journalists specifically to report about sexual violence and human rights abuses. With her organization she uses the media to raise the awareness of rural women. According to the advocacy organization Women Deliver, who awarded her as one of the "top 100 most inspiring people delivering for girls and women", Ms. Namegabe's work has been "helping Congo's women broadcast to the world." She advocates for sustainable solutions of the conflict in Eastern DRC, targeting the causes, not the consequences. Ms. Namegabe has testified at the Hague to urge the International Court of Justice to classify rape as a political weapon in the DRC, and in Washington, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on violence against women. Ms. Namegabe met at several occasions with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to press the need for a non-partisan security force to end sexual violence in the conflict-torn region.