About CAFA West Branch

Brenda Dixon - President

I was born in Montreal and moved to Vancouver, BC in 1968, when I was 10 years old. I have Friedreich's Ataxia. I knew of Claude St. Jean's foundation in my last years in Montreal, and I had the pleasure of meeting him when he visited Vancouver in the 70's.

I did not realize what a great foundation he had formed, until I read this website. I am very proud to be part of the team that forms the western branch of CAFA.

Fiona Jackson - Vice-President

Fiona Jackson’s family has SCA1. She was tested in 1998 and does not have the gene. She is committed to the goals of CAFA and funding the best research to improve understanding about the ataxias, and giving hope to everyone affected and touched by it.

Elaine Willis - Member at Large

Elaine's career as a teacher was interrupted by an injury exacerbated by a hereditary ataxia. Although her family's gene has been isolated, no research has yet been conducted so she remains in the SCA? at this time.

She volunteers her time and skills within her community and is proud to be part of the new CAFA WEST team.

Neil Dobson - Member at Large

Neil is originally from the UK.

After getting a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry in late 2001; he left in 2002 to move to Seattle to take up a position at the University of Washington and then in 2007 relocated to Vancouver, where he met his fiance and has 3 stepchildren.

Neil tested positive for SCA III (Machado Joseph Disease) in 1999 and has been fairly asymptomatic since. He now works as an RNA biochemist at Simon Fraser University

Colin Buss - Vancouver Island Representative

Colin Buss is a professional forester living in Campbell River on Vancouver Island. He has SCA1 and has been symptomatic since about 2005. He hopes to raise the profile of the ataxias among the population and help find a cure.

Kama Soles - Saskatchewan Representative

Kama Soles recently completed her Interdisciplinary Studies Master’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan in the area of disability and co-operatives. Prior to this, she worked as a community coordinator for the North Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre, and was involved on many boards and committees, including DAWN (DisAbled Womens’ Network) Canada, the Saskatchewan Advisory Council on Disability Issues, and the Saskatoon Independent Living Co-operative.

Roger Foley - Webmaster

Roger was born with Cerebellar Ataxia. He has battled the deterioration throughout his life never holding back on going after positive goals and dreams. Roger is a Carleton University graduate and a two time Royal Bank of Canada Award of Excellence recipient for his work as Dominion Securities E-Busniess Manager. Roger donates both his skills and time to CAFA and other organizations that support communities and those struggling with disabilities