Meet The Team

Janet Pereira is the co-founder of DBA Canada and the current Executive Director. She is the founder of “Jack’s Fight For a Cure” Fundraising Gala. Janet has been married to her husband Nel for 26 years and is the proud mom of five beautiful children: Makayla, Lucas, Mya, Jack and Ben. Their second youngest  son Jack was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia 12 weeks after birth. This life altering moment changed the family in so many ways. Prior to Jack’s diagnosis Janet had earned a BA in Sociology at York University and was working towards a degree in Holistic Nutrition. Since his diagnosis, her focus has changed  to being a full time stay at home mom and focusing on Diamond Blackfan Anemia Canada, and her passion “Jack’s Fight For a Cure.” 

Carol Manfini is the Managing Director for DBA Canada. She is a life long friend of Janet Pereira And Glynda Geibel. When she found out about Jack being diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia she immediately wanted to jump on board to help out.

She started out volunteering with "Jack's Fight For A Cure" and recently accepted the managing director position of DBA Canada.

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Laurie Joined the board as  a voting member in 2020 and is now our social media manager and secretary. Laurie has a daughter, Dylan (born November 15, 2016) who was diagnosed with DBA at 7 months old. Laurie’s background is in science completing an Honors Bachelor of Science from The University of Western Ontario in 2000, 2 years of research/Masters work at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Biology & Chemistry) from Trent University in 2008. Laurie currently works in the pharmaceutical industry. With her only daughter Dylan having DBA and her love for science, Laurie is committed to fundraising, research and ultimately finding a cure for DBA

Joined the board as a voting member in 2020 and is now our board treasurer.  Beth has a daughter, Kyna (born April 16, 1988) who was diagnosed with DBA at 3 weeks old. Beth is a retired teacher who worked in the secondary panel with the Thames Valley District School Board in various positions.

Since her daughter\s diagnosis, Beth has kept abreast of the research and new developments in the treatment of DBA. Now with more time available, Beth would like to help in any way the progress towards a cure.
 

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Meghan joined the board as a voting member in 2022. Meghan has been a maternal/newborn nurse for 19 years. Meghan and Eric married in 2014 and after 8 short years are now raising their 5 children. 4 boys and 1 girl! Kael, Burk, Smith, and the twins - Cash and Monroe. Cash and Monroe were quite the surprise and joined the family 4 minutes apart on December 5th, 2019. 11 weeks later Miss Monroe was diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan anemia. Having this unexpected diagnosis has been incredibly overwhelming, heart breaking and at times all consuming but has also strengthened each family member in unique ways. Despite being a total spit fire, Monroe will always be protected by all of her brothers and will forever be our princess warrior. Meghan continues to work part time but her true mission is to provide awareness and to find a cure for Diamond Blackfan Anemia.

Brittany Smith has a background in Biotechnology – Forensics and currently works as a Registered Pharmacy Technician at a research and teaching hospital. Brittany was first introduced to DBA when her long-time friend Laurie’s daughter, Dylan, was diagnosed with DBA. Brittany began to learn about this rare disease, the current treatment options available, and the lack of information known overall.

The gap of information propelled an interest to learn everything she could about it. Brittany joined the board in 2022 to keep up with new research and hopefully to help find a cure for DBA and all those affected.


 

Kaye Geibel is the Grandmother of a DBA patient Jack. As a concerned Grandparent, she joined the board to stay abreast of what's happening in the DBA world and to help contribute "hands-on".

She helps out with "Jack's Fight For a Cure" Gala and also participates in other smaller fundraisers. She has been married to her husband Fred for 53 years. In addition to their three children, they also have 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Paul Adamson has been married for 42 years to Lynn. Paul retired in late 2014 dater working for 25 years with Imperial Oil as a Senior Territory Manager. His business background includes retail sales, contract relationships, and managing multi-million dollars in sales. Prior to joining our board, Paul worked with Esso retailers in supporting Jack's Fight For a Cure and DBAC since 20111. Paul continues to work on various fundraising initiatives to help support DBAC and work towards a cure for DBA. 

Vanessa Marschner joined us in 2015 upon moving to Canada with her son. Although having had no firsthand experience of DBA until meeting Jack she decided to join the fight to find a cure as soon as the opportunity arose to join the board in their fundraising efforts.

Yigal Dror - MD, FRCP(C)

Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Director, Marrow Failure and Myelodysplasia Program, Scientist, Program in Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, The University of Toronto