Emily McIntosh, PhD in Biomechanics, BCC Engagement Ambassador, dedicated patient advocate, and remarkable brain cancer survivor and thriver, was named the second recipient of the Douglas MacRae Award of Courage and was honoured at the 2024 Gala for Brain Cancer Research.
 
Emily embodies every quality this award was created to celebrate. Her tenacity, humility, kindness, sense of humour, expertise, commitment, and sheer brilliance were gifts to everyone privileged to know and work alongside her.

In addition to her personal journey, Emily has tirelessly advocated for more than two dozen brain tumour patients, served as an organizing committee member of @BTSMchat (Brain Tumor Social Media) since 2021, and worked with notable organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), and Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO). Throughout her research career, she has authored/co-authored 10 peer-reviewed publications, 30 conference proceedings, and delivered 19 invited talks, most notably as invited faculty and keynote speaker at the 2023 biannual Canadian Society for Neuro-Oncology meeting in Ottawa.

Brain Cancer Canada is profoundly grateful for Emily’s extraordinary contributions to research, advocacy, and the community — and for her unwavering courage that continues to inspire us all.