The $1,000 Ostomy Canada Post-Secondary Award shall be awarded annually to encourage and assist individuals living with an ostomy or other bowel or bladder diversionary surgery to pursue Post-Secondary Education.
This year’s recipient is Paul (Polus) Yousif of Bradford, Ontario

My journey into the world of volunteerism didn’t start with a sign-up sheet or a formal meeting; it started in a hospital bed. It began when the abstract idea of community support became a real, tangible lifeline. Living with ulcerative colitis and undergoing ostomy surgery taught me a profound lesson: we are at our strongest when we can lean on others, and we find our true purpose when we become strong enough for others to lean on. For me, volunteerism isn’t just an extracurricular activity, it’s the active practice of building the kind of world I needed in my most difficult moments.

My earliest contributions to the ostomy community were personal and direct. In the years after my surgeries, I found myself with surplus ostomy supplies. I knew from experience how expensive and crucial these items are, and the thought of them going to waste felt wrong. I made it a personal mission to connect with other organizations in Canada to ensure that these supplies got into the hands of those who needed them the most. It wasn’t a formal volunteer role, but it was my first real understanding of what ‘giving back’ meant: identifying a need and using whatever resources you must fill it. It’s a principle that I continue to believe in, which is why I’ve also made sure to send a contribution of $25 to support the incredible work Ostomy Canada does.

This core belief in service has shaped my life outside of the ostomy community as well. It’s what led me to join the Canadian Red Cross as an Emergency Management Volunteer and to support the Seniors Wish Association in my hometown of Bradford. In both roles, the work is about showing up for people during times of vulnerability, whether it’s a crisis or the simple need for connection in old age. It’s about recognizing our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to look out for one another.

Now, as I begin my Master of Industrial Relations at Queen’s University, my academic and professional ambitions are a direct extension of this volunteer spirit. My research is focused on the human side of technology in the workplace. I look at how policies are written and how new systems like AI are implemented, and I ask a simple question: are we treating people with dignity? My goal, and the reason I plan to pursue a PhD, is to build a career dedicated to creating more empathetic and supportive workplaces. I see this as a form of high-level volunteerism, using my professional skills to advocate for the well-being of countless individuals I may never meet.

Ultimately, my approach to volunteerism is rooted in my own story. It’s about transforming a personal challenge into a public purpose. It’s about ensuring that the next person facing a life-altering diagnosis or a difficult time at work finds a system and a community that is ready and willing to support them. The work that Ostomy Canada does is a vital part of that support system, and I am committed to contributing to that mission, both personally and professionally, for years to come.