OUR TEAM

Sonia Whyte-Croasdaile RPN, RSW is a wife, mother, nurse, Registered Social Worker, a trained Relaxation/Life Coach, and the Founder and President of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Canada. She is experienced in community-based work, support group development and facilitation, couples, individual and group counselling. Like many other professionals, Sonia aspired to maintain her professional career of over 25 years until she was ready for retirement. However, in 2011 she battled and survived Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN), a debilitating skin condition that has since completely transformed and rearranged her life.

For approximately six weeks in 2011, Sonia fought for her life in the Intensive Care Unit and Burn Unit alike in the hospital. After being discharged from the hospital, she stated that she felt like she has become a stranger to her own body. The body she once knew was now unrecognizable and painfully falling apart due to the burning of her skin and other membranes because of the disease. Sonia desperately and passionately searched for community resources to support her challenging recovery journey but found none. She realized then that community supports for patients like her, was non-existent in Canada. Having survived this life changing ordeal, it has since become her mission to create a Canadian-based organization to assist others on their journey with SJS/TEN. To fill that void, Sonia founded this organization, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Canada with the help of her supportive family, friends, and medical experts in the field.

Sonia Whyte-Croasdaile frequently shares her story with the medical fraternity as well as and the general community to inspire hope, bring awareness, educate, and support within and outside of the SJS/TEN patient community. Through her efforts, the organization has reached and supported numerous individuals from all over the world. Her primary goal is to help this organization improve the lives of those affected by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.  Please join us in supporting the cause of SJS Canada in its fight to bring awareness to and possible find a cure to this life-threatening disease, through your generous monetary donation, or offering your time to help the organization in its efforts to spread the word, solicits funds, or in any other way you can.

Vanessa Legair is a certified Wedding and Special Events Planner with more than 17 years of experience assisting charities, businesses and individuals in the planning and execution of charity galas, benefit concerts, anniversary lunch/dinner parties and wedding events. Prior to launching her own business in 2012, Vanessa’s work and volunteer history included Chair of the Board of Directors for Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview (2001-2009) and Manager of Annual Giving Programs with York University Foundation (2004-2011). Her breadth of knowledge, insight and experience strengthens the inner workings of the businesses and charities she has helped, particularly their fundraising campaigns and strategy.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome almost took the life of her aunt. Through her aunt’s diagnosis, treatment, survival and after effects, Vanessa learned of this rare disease and joined the Board to support her aunt and countless others who have been affected. Vanessa is the current Board Chair with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Canada and has held the role since the charity’s inception in 2012. She is committed to advancing SJSC’s mission to provide supports to the patient community and to build awareness and educational resources for the public.

Justina Melkis is a first-generation Canadian born and raised in Toronto. She completed her Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto and her Masters of Science at McMaster University. Currently, Justina is a third year medical student at the University of Ottawa.

She has worked in various settings that strive to empower, support and educate the diverse population of Canadians. She is passionate about gender equity in healthcare, promoting wellness and balance as a medical student, especially through social media, and engaging in research and advocacy opportunities that improve healthcare for all Canadians.

Justina has a profound interest in dermatology and working closely with individuals who have gone through a varying degree of skin-related illnesses. She believes in learning from the patients directly to understand how she, as a future health care professional, can provide her patients with the utmost care and be an advocate for them in the medical community.

Justina first learned about Stevens-Johnson Syndrome as a medical student and reached out to SJSC in hopes of learning more from survivors and being involved with SJSC to bring more awareness about this illness to her medical peers.

Frank has been a qualified accountant (CMA, CPA) since 1992. He has been a Vice-President of Finance, Director of Finance & Corporate Controller in several industries including the Marketing Industry, Retail, Telephone Analytics, and the Gambling sector.

He joined the SJS/TEN Board of Directors in 2017 to assist with their financial goals of becoming the leading advocate for SJS/TEN in Canada. Frank’s passion is the mentoring of young financial accountants and giving back to the community through his many charities.

He is President of the Halton-Peel CPA Ontario Association, Treasurer of SJS/TEN Canada, Treasurer of Oakville Meals on Wheels and a volunteer Tax Preparer for the Region of Peel.

Coleen Lambert is a licenced Financial Broker and Coach. Prior to building her own Financial Services and Financial Coaching company in 2020, Coleen worked as a Legal Professional for more than 16 years in various areas of law such as: Real Estate, Labour and Employment, Corporate Commercial, Litigation, Oil and Gas, etc. Her knowledge and experience, expertise in presentations, administration and connection to the legal community have brought in a generous donation, strengthened the awareness in other industries, and helped with the visuals for community presentations and network fundraising. Coleen is a current Board Member with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Canada and has held the role with the charity since 2018. Coleen has strong perspective of the early signs of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and TEN (SJS/TEN) and the after affects because a close family member of hers is a survivor of SJS/TEN. Coleen is committed to the aim, mission and vision of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Canada to “Promote health by providing people suffering from SJS/TEN as well as their families and caregivers with access to related counselling, support groups and information programs.”
“To advance education by providing workshops, forums and seminars about the SJS/TEN to the public and medical professionals.”
“To facilitate an umbrella of services for the SJS/TEN patient community in Canada.”

My name is Jeremy Falk and I live in Los Angeles. In 2005 I had a bacteria staph infection.  After taking two weeks of a 21-day supply of Bactrim (a Sulfa-based antibiotic), my eyes and throat started to feel inflamed and irritated. I went to the hospital and was told I had an eye infection and was giving sulfa eye drops in addition to the oral sulfa antibiotics that I was already taking. Later that day I developed bumps on my body, my face began to swell and the skin around my face started peeling and flaking. I took a picture and sent it to my dad and brother.  My brother’s pharmacist friend told him I was having a severe allergic reaction while my dad and I read up on the possible side effects of Bactrim. Everyone agreed I need to go to the ER now.

By the time I was admitted to the hospital, my eyes were swelled shut, my skin was peeling and raw from my scalp to torso. During my 13-day week stay in a quarantined hospital room, they stitched amniotic membrane to underside of my eyes lids in the hopes that I would not lose my vision. My family took me home and helped me recover.

After one month without sight, they removed the stitches from my eyes and I was able to see, thank goodness. However, my tear ducts no longer worked and I could barely open my eyes. They were extremely photosensitive and dry.

Years later In 2012, while working with the incredible team at USC Roski Eye Institute in Los Angeles I met Dr. Gloria Chiu. Dr Chiu specializes in caring for patients with extreme eye conditions, like my SJS-effected eyes. She introduced me to PROSE contacts, and that changed everything for my eyes and me. These custom-made prosthetic lenses allowed me to open my eyes more and drastically reduced the photosensitivity. PROSE also helps to decrease the irritation and redness of my eyes.

In 2020 I began the process of cataract surgery in both eyes. The healing process has proven to be tricky due to the dryness of my eyes. I am still healing due to accidental scratches during healing.

Other than my cataract surgery woes I am in good shape. Although my nailbeds are damaged and fragile from SJS and my finger nails don’t work very well, I am very grateful that I’m healthy and was able to resume my full life of continuing my career as an Apple Consultant, running regularly (including two marathons), and all the travel and activities I enjoy and love, including attending Burning Man!

In June 2020, I found and joined the SJS Canada group and have been delighted by the support that the group provides for each other.  Sonia’s care and attention to the members of this group is greatly appreciated, her leadership has helped gain awareness and momentum for the SJS community.  It has been a pleasure to be a part of this group. Thank you.