Scholarships in honour of John Plater: Krever Inquiry

Hemophilia Ontario’s scholarship and bursary program is named in honour of John Plater, a tireless advocate for people with bleeding disorders and those who were affected by the tainted blood tragedy.

In 2026, Hemophilia Ontario will award one $4,000 scholarship and up to $4,000 in bursaries, to be distributed among eligible Ontario residents attending a post-secondary institution or trade school in fall 2026.

Deadline to apply is June 5 2026

John was born in 1967, and had severe hemophilia A. He contracted HIV from tainted blood, and went on, with many others, to draw attention to the issue of tainted blood. His efforts contributed to the establishment of the Krever Inquiry and compensation for those who were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. John graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1998, and maintained a legal practice assisting those affected by the tainted blood tragedy.

John served our community through involvement with the Canadian Hemophilia Society and Hemophilia Ontario. He served on many significant committees, including as co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council on the Federal Initiative on HIV/AIDS, chair of the Ontario Hepatitis C Task Force and chaired the HIV/AIDS Community Advisory Panel of St. Michael’s Hospital. He was active at Thornbury First Baptist Church, serving as Moderator and chair of the Deacons. John passed away from complications related to HIV/AIDS in 2012.

John was a mentor, friend, leader and hero to many in the bleeding disorder community. This program recognizes and celebrates John’s commitment to our community and to helping others.

Applications for 2026 are Now Open!

🎓The application requires you to submit the following:

Two reference letters with contact information provided
A typed original essay of your own composition between 400 and 500 words on one of the topics listed in the application form
Transcript of grades
Letter or email from the post-secondary institution or trade school you plan to attend in the fall of 2026 indicating acceptance or eligibility for enrollment in the upcoming academic year.

You can submit your application at: https://hemophiliaontario.typeform.com/to/rIntNpFZ

Congratulations to our 2025 John Plater Scholarship recipients!

2025 John Plater Scholarship Winner

Connor Lee

I am honoured to have been selected as the recipient for this year’s John Plater Scholarship. I am grateful to Hemophilia Ontario and the sponsors of the scholarship for their continued generosity and support of students in the bleeding disorders community.

As a graduate researcher in robotics engineering at the University of Toronto and SickKids Hospital, this award provides meaningful support that aids in pursuing research in advanced surgical technologies. Living with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia has had a profound impact on my outlook and perseverance. This scholarship is both a reminder of where I come from and an inspiration to continue giving back through research and mentorship. I am motivated to continue building on my work and embody the same principles of advocacy and community that John Plater exemplified.”

2025 John Plater Bursary Winners

Bronwyn Gocan

I am extremely honoured to receive a John Plater Bursary and would like to thank Hemophilia Ontario and the bursary sponsors for their support.
I am in my final year of the Bachelor of Education program at Nipissing University. As a woman with hemophilia A, this condition has shaped both my life and my advocacy. My uncle Felix, who passed away at the young age of 19 due to severe hemophilia and the tainted blood tragedy, inspires me to learn more about my disorder and remain connected to the hemophilia community. My volunteering and research experiences, including participating in a study on X chromosome inactivation in women with bleeding disorders, have strengthened my passion for awareness and education. As a future teacher, I hope to ensure that students with rare or invisible medical conditions receive the understanding, compassion, and support they deserve.

Michel Khoury

I am truly honoured to be selected as a recipient of the John Plater Scholarship. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Hemophilia Ontario and the generous sponsors who make this scholarship possible. As I continue my journey in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Montreal, I am deeply appreciative of the financial support and encouragement this scholarship provides. Living with hemophilia A has instilled in me a deep sense of perseverance, empathy, and dedication—qualities that have shaped me into a more compassionate and understanding surgeon. This support will continue to guide me as I pursue a fellowship at Yale University in Head and Neck and Microvascular Reconstruction. I am sincerely thankful for this recognition and the continued encouragement it provides as I advance in my career.

Satyam Kukreja

I am truly honoured and grateful to be chosen as a recipient for the bursary.

Rita Sabha

To the amazing individuals behind the John Plater Bursary, and to those who contribute and work behind the scenes to make this opportunity possible.
My family and I are truly filled with gratitude. The support from the Hemophilia Association means more than just financial help, it reminds me that I’m not alone and that I have a strong community supporting my journey.
As a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics at St Francis Xavier University, I’m working toward one day helping others like me. This bursary is helping me take meaningful steps toward my future goals, and I’m deeply thankful for the encouragement and support it represents. Once again a BIG THANK YOU!

Congratulations to our 2024 John Plater Scholarship recipients!

2024 John Plater Scholarship Winner

Caitlyn Lee

I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the recipient of this year’s John Plater Scholarship. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Hemophilia Ontario as well as its sponsors and donors, for their ongoing support and for making this scholarship possible.

As I embark on my final year of medical school at Western, this award provides invaluable financial support. My experience with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia has profoundly shaped my journey, and this scholarship reinforces my commitment to representing and making a positive impact in the bleeding disorders community with pride. I am eager to continue my work both inside and out of the hospital, inspired by the same values of advocacy and resilience that John Plater embodied throughout his life.

2024 John Plater Bursary Winners

Eli Bauman

I am very honoured to have been selected as a recipient for a John Plater bursary. I would like to give a huge thanks to both Hemophilia Ontario and the sponsors of this bursary.

As I begin my journey through post secondary school in chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo I am very appreciative of the financial support this provides. As someone with severe hemophilia A it has been so meaningful to have such a support system throughout my childhood and continuing into adulthood. I enjoyed many opportunities when growing up such as family camp, zoo walks, christmas parties, and just the dads weekend. I hope to be able to support and encourage others in the future, as I am being supported now.

Farah Bashir

I am sincerely honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the Hemophilia Ontario John Plater Scholarship.

I want to thank the Hemophilia Ontario Board, staff and membership. Thank you so much for selecting me.

Jake Hazelwood

I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected as the recipient of the John Platter Scholarship from Hemophilia Ontario. This generous award not only supports my educational journey but also inspires me to continue advocating for the hemophilia community. I am truly appreciative of the opportunities it will provide and the confidence it gives me to pursue my goals. Thank you to Hemophilia Ontario for your continued commitment to individuals living with Hemophilia, and for believing in my potential. I look forward to contributing to the community and paying forward this incredible support in the future.

Yash Saini

I am truly honoured to have been chosen as the recipient of this year’s John Plater Scholarship, a prestigious award that several of my peers have also had the privilege of receiving. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Hemophilia Ontario, along with its sponsors and donors, for their unwavering support and for making this scholarship possible.

This award offers invaluable financial assistance as I prepare to begin my second year in the Double Degree program at Laurier. Living with Von Willebrand’s Disease might seem like a limitation to some, but the incredible support and resources provided by Hemophilia Ontario have greatly shaped my journey. From volunteering at camp events to receiving the John Plater Scholarship, the unwavering commitment to the bleeding disorders community has empowered me and so many others. I am deeply grateful for the chance to continue serving this community, and I look forward to making an even greater impact in the years to come.

Congratulations to our 2023 John Plater Scholarship recipients!

2023 John Plater Scholarship Winner

Ahmed Bashir Mohamed

When Ahmed arrived in Canada, he spoke no English. He has since learned English, earned high school grades that are mostly in the 90s, and has been admitted to the Honours Bachelor of Arts program at the University of Waterloo in Fall 2023. He has volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and Walk for Hope, which seeks to reunite refugee children with their families.

2023 John Plater Bursary Winners

Kayla Creighton

Kayla will be studying at D’Youville University this fall in the Biology Bachelor of Science program. Kayla has volunteered at a local retirement home, a day care, and in various high school activities. She is passionate about social justice and advocacy, which she connects to her career plans to explore the connection between the brain and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Teighan Hauff

Teighan will be completing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta this fall. Teighan is studying to become a teacher. She has volunteered the Edmonton School of Ballet for eight years, assisting in classes and preparing students for exams and shows, and with a literacy program for children.

Katiya Gareau-Jones

Katiya has been accepted into Year 3 (of 4) of a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree at Lakehead University in Fall 2023. She has volunteered for 8 years at a skate club working with children, with I love First Peoples, and as a youth representative on an Indigenous Education Advisory Committee.

Erin Van Dusen

Erin is a special education teacher, and is currently completing a Master of Education with a focus on technology integration at Mount St Vincent University (NS) to improve her teaching practice. Erin has extensive volunteer experience at the Nova Scotia chapter of Canadian Hemophilia Society where she has volunteered since 2005: as a camp counsellor, on the Board (as Secretary, President, and currently Vice-President), and on a CHS twinning committee.