Mr. Jesse Davidson

  • London, Ontario, Canada

Meritorious Service Decorations - Civil Division

  • Meritorious Service Medal

    • Awarded on: May 9, 2000
    • Invested on: September 15, 2000

    Jesse Davidson, O.Ont., M.S.M., London, Ont.
    John Davidson, O.Ont., M.S.M., London, Ont.
    Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

    John Davidson and his son Jesse have contributed to the enhancement of public awareness of Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. In 1995, John Davidson pushed Jesse in his wheelchair more than 3,300 kilometres across Ontario and raised more than one million dollars for genetic research. In April 1998, John Davidson set out alone on Jesse’s Journey - A Father’s Tribute, in order to generate additional money for an endowment fund. Mr. Davidson walked 8,300 kilometres across Canada and raised an extra two million dollars. He was later appointed the first Executive Director of the Foundation for Gene and Cell Therapy, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting scientific research and public awareness of gene-based disorders.