About
Us
.
OUR
VISION
.
We are known for the Quality of Information and Best Practices we demonstrate and share. We empower males with the information we share.
OUR
MISSION
.
To be the leader in Men’s Health Support that empowers men to be responsible for their health.
OUR
MESSAGE
.
We have seven key messages
that we feel are pivotal to men’s health:
1. Know Your Family History
Especially for diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate cancer, etc.
2. Get Screened Early
Early detection is the key to early treatment.
3. Get To Know Your Doctor
Develop a good relationship with your family doctor and follow their advice.
4. Know Your Numbers
Keep track of your blood pressure, blood sugar and PSA levels, etc.
5. Participate In Research
Join research studies and clinical trials to ensure more relevant data for African - Canadian people.
6. Join A Men's Health Interest Group
Partake and share in a community with like-minded individuals.
7. Donate
Make a difference today in search of better cures.
Our
People
Founders
DR. WINSTON ISAAC
.
Dr. Isaac founded The Walnut Foundation in 2007, a Men’s Health Interest and Support Group dedicated to the development and education of Black men and the broader community in taking responsibility for their health. The idea was conceived after being diagnosed with and treated for Prostate Cancer.
Through this experience, he was fuelled to raise awareness in the Black community. He and Simon Samuel (Co-founder) came together with four other men with similar interests to form a steering committee which was the birth of the organization.
SIMON SAMUEL
.
Simon Samuel, Co-Founder & Second Vice-President of The Walnut Foundation, is one of the key movers behind the foundation. As a co-founder and a prostate cancer survivor he found that information and support on prostate cancer in Black men were limited, The Walnut Foundation is a platform for information and support for the Black community. Mr. Samuel is currently self-employed as a Property Maintenance and Operations Manager and has been in that position for the past 25 years.
Mr. Samuel is an avid musician (guitarist, vocalist, and photographer). He is a Prostate Cancer survivor and was diagnosed in 2007 at the age of 49 for the condition. Mr. Samuel credits his own diligence about health for an early diagnosis and follow-up treatment. He encourages men to talk to their doctor about early signs of discomfort, how early diagnosis will save your life so that men do not have to die from prostate cancer.
Other
Board Members
Board members are prostate cancer survivors, patient advocates or others with unique skill sets that are willing to share their expertise in furthering the work of The Walnut Foundation
.
ANTHONY HENRY
Anthony Henry, President, has been an Advisor on the Steering Committee of The Walnut Foundation since 2012. Recently, he was elected to the post of President. Anthony is a strong supporter of The Foundations’ work through his efforts in leading the annual “Walk the Path” Walkathon which raises the funds that are required by the Walnut Foundation to fulfill its mandate. He is a Financial Advisor with 29 + years experience in the Canadian Financial Industry.
Anthony is a prostate cancer survivor who has credited the information provided by the Walnut Foundation in helping him to navigate his personal journey successful. As a trained and certified Prostate Cancer Peer Navigator by True North, a Movember initiative, he is equipped with the necessary tools to help Prostate cancer patients and their families navigate their journey.
KEN NOEL
Ken Noel, Executive Director, is one of the prime movers within The Walnut Foundation. He graduated in Computer Science and since that time, he has worked in the Information Technology field and most recently as the Director of Global Information Technology for a major Global manufacturer in the Automotive Industry. gram based in the US which certifies academic programs in health administration.
As a Prostate Cancer survivor, Ken Noel is passionate about sharing his experiences so that others would be aware of the value of constant monitoring, early diagnosis and the benefits of early treatment. As a trained and certified Prostate Cancer Peer Navigator by True North, a Movember initiative, he is equipped with the necessary tools to help Prostate cancer patients and their families navigate their journey.
GERRY CALLENDER
Gerry Callender, Director is a retired elementary school administrator with over thirty-five years experience as a teacher, vice principal and Principal. Nineteen of those years were spent as a Vice Principal and Principal with the Dufferin Peel Roman Catholic School Board. Upon retiring he spent nine years as a Faculty Supervisor with the Australian Charles Stuart University Ontario in the Bachelor of Primary Education Department.
Gerry was a member of the Board of Director for Habitat for Humanity Mississauga (now Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga) for a number of years. He was a Member of the Family Selection Committee and Chaired the Family Support Committee.
Gerry brings his years of experience of mentoring, organizing, and sharing to the Walnut Foundation. He empathizes with our members, as he remembers his father who was a Prostate Cancer survivor for many years. He passed away at a very young age of ninety-nine and a half years. Prostate cancer survivors can live very long fruitful lives with early detection, diet and a positive outlook on life.
WINSTON KLASS
Winston Klass was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. By sheer luck the cancer was caught early; and he had a successful surgery. Winston has since been active in support work at the provincial and national levels – including a stint as chair of Prostate Cancer Support Toronto Winston initiated the Toronto Warriors a support group for advanced prostate cancer patients; and also a Walnut Foundation support group for Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Winston is currently a Director on the Board of The Walnut Foundation.
VERNON CLARK
Vernon Clarke, Director Membership Engagement has been associated with a variety of organizations for a number of years. He was born in Barbados and was a member of the Community Health Committee which conducted a feasibility study for establishing a Community Health Centre in Milliken Mills in 1993. He was also affiliated with the Markham African Caribbean Association, and the education division, Markham African Caribbean Canadian Upliftment Program (MACCUP) was established in 1994 to offer tutoring at the Saturday Morning School Program. This affiliation lasted for ten (10) years. Currently, Vernon is a Trustee at Ebenezer United Church in Markham.
ANDRE ROSE
Andre Rose, Director Young People Engagement is a fitness, wellness and lifestyle coach and author of the fitness book “Buns of Steel The Unstoppable pursuit of fitness”. Andre is also the owner of the underwear company Steele by Andre Rose a luxury brand of men’s underwear.
Andre has been actively involved in the fitness industry for more than 15years when his ex-employer thought that he would send each employee to the gym. He found that fitness was more than just exercise but is a lifestyle and so over the past many years Andre has been actively engaged in numerous fitness activities Such as the International Drug-Free Association (IDFA)where he competed as a novice bodybuilder.
Andre understood as he got older the importance of men’s health as his grandfather was diagnosed and died from prostate cancer. This has led him get involved with the Walnut Foundation. In addition, he currently serves as a Black advisory committee member to the Canadian Cancer Society.
EUGENE BRAZIER
Eugene Brazier, Treasurer is also one of the early members of The Walnut Foundation, and has learned a lot about health issues affecting men. One of his favourite quotes is, “know and understand your numbers”. When the doctor says that your blood pressure is 135/75, be sure that you understand what those figures mean.
He is a Prostate Cancer survivor who has credited his family for engaging and supporting him for his successful treatment.
CHARLES ESTRIDGE
Charles Estridge, Secretary is a passionate member of The Walnut Foundation’s Men Health because he firmly believes that knowledge of and early detection of any health-related condition is a ticket to life. As a Certified Dialysis Perfusionist with a major teaching hospital in Toronto, he is also am member of the Canadian Standards Association, developing standards of practice for Dialysis and Dialysis Technologists.