Markham student selected for a Terry Fox Humanitarian Award

The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award (TFHA) announced the 15 recipients of its 2026 award. This national honour recognizes youth who exemplify Terry Fox’s values of courage, perseverance, and a deep commitment to humanitarian service. 

The TFHA Program has supported over 1,000 youth who are leading initiatives to improve communities and drive change in fields ranging from healthcare and education to reconciliation and climate change. 

Markham’s Jenova Lin was one of the selected recipients of this award. Lin was diagnosed at nine years old with Tourette’s syndrome and has lived through hardships as a result. Despite this, Lin has used her condition to make a positive change by educating others about Tourette’s. 

Lin founded The TEAL Project, a youth-led initiative focused on Tourette’s and neurodiversity awareness, which has reached over 3,000 people through online and in-person events. She has spoken at public events and schools, fundraised for Tourette Canada, appeared on a podcast, and received recognition, including the Yes I Can! Provincial Award and a Citizen of Character Award. 

Beyond raising awareness, Lin advocacy has helped immigrant families understand neurological conditions. In opening conversations that were previously silenced by stigma, she transformed the condition that once made her feel broken into what empowers her to lead today. She plans to study medical sciences at Western University, with the goal of pursuing a career supporting neurodivergent youth and their families. 

Photo: Jenova Lin selected for The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award 2026. (YRDSB photo)