Bruce Ireland (l), receives first National Family Caregiver award.

Canada Cares, a not-for profit organization dedicated to celebrating family and professional caregivers, is calling for nominations for its 2014 Canada Cares awards. It’s a great way to show your appreciation to your own caregiver and to help recognize the contributions of all those who care for others in our communities.

Five family caregivers and five professional caregivers from four regions of Canada (Western, Central, Atlantic and Northern) will be selected to receive a Canada Cares Award. One of the regional award winners in each category (family or professional) will be chosen as the Canada Cares National Caregivers of the Year.

Bruce Ireland, Past-Chair of Parkinson Society Canada’s Board of Directors was the inaugural recipient of the National Family Caregiver award in 2013. Bruce is caregiver to his wife Karen, who lives with Parkinson’s.

Additional Canada Cares awards include the One Wish Award, which awards $10,000 to one caregiver to make a care giving wish come true; the Caregiver-Friendly Workplace Award and a Caring Communities Award.

To find out more and to nominate your family or professional caregiver for a Canada Cares award, visit canadacares.org. Contest closes September 15, 2014 and winners will be announced in November, 2014.