Markham student Jenova Lin has been selected for a 2026 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award after building a youth-led initiative that raises awareness of Tourette’s syndrome and neurodiversity.
Lin is among 15 recipients announced by the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award program, Markham Review reported. The national honour recognizes young people whose humanitarian work reflects Terry Fox’s courage, perseverance and commitment to helping others.
Diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age nine, Lin has faced hardships associated with the condition. She has drawn on those experiences to educate others, taking her advocacy into schools, public events and online conversations.
Lin founded The TEAL Project, a youth-led initiative focused on awareness of Tourette’s and neurodiversity. Through a combination of online and in-person events, the project has reached more than 3,000 people, according to the report.
Her work has included speaking at schools and public events, fundraising for Tourette Canada and appearing on a podcast. Those activities have given her several ways to share information about the condition beyond her own experience.
The report also credits Lin’s advocacy with helping immigrant families understand neurological conditions and encouraging conversations about subjects affected by stigma. That work is part of her broader effort to improve awareness and understanding.
The Terry Fox honour adds to recognition Lin has already received for her efforts. Her previous awards include the Yes I Can! Provincial Award and a Citizen of Character Award.
Lin plans to study medical sciences at Western University. Her goal is to pursue a career supporting neurodivergent young people and their families, continuing the focus of her current advocacy.
Nationally, the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award program has supported more than 1,000 young people leading initiatives to improve their communities. Their work spans healthcare, education, reconciliation and climate change, according to the report.
For Lin, the 2026 recognition follows work centred on education and family understanding: helping others learn about Tourette’s while bringing young people into conversations about neurodiversity.
