All photos by:
Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall
©Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada represented by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, 2016.

Bethanys Hope Foundation founders awarded Meritorious Service Cross
Bethanys Hope Foundation is celebrating the awarding of Lindey & David McIntyre of the Meritorious Service Cross by Governor General David Johnston at Rideau Hall – Ottawa on Friday, November 25, 2016. The McIntyre’s humbly accepted this honour on behalf of the many Leukodystrophy families, the members of Bethanys Hope Foundation, all their special Donors and the amazing Volunteers in this outstanding achievement.

The Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) enable the Governor General, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and all Canadians, to recognize the outstanding accomplishments and remarkable contributions made by members of our community. The McIntyre’s were recognized for their contribution, hope and efforts in establishing local Research for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). (https://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=15210)

The following script was read during the presentation ceremony:
Their daughter’s diagnosis of metachromatic leukodystrophy—a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorder—spurred David, M.O.M., M.S.C., and Lindey McIntyre, M.S.C., to create Bethanys Hope Foundation. Since then, the foundation has grown into a source of comfort, information and guidance for families around the world dealing with similar circumstances. Though Bethany passed away 16 years ago, the foundation named in her honour continues to raise funds and promote Research in a quest to find a cure.