Health Care Hero: Sprott Shaw Nursing Student Receives Community Service Award
Nursing student, Klara McCallum, receives a Community Service Award for saving the victim of an unprovoked stabbing.
Klara McCallum presented with her Community Service Award by Downtown Vancouver Campus Director, Spencer Bresnick
For Hamid Habibi, it seemed like an ordinary food delivery until an unprovoked assault in Vancouver’s Chinatown left the newly arrived immigrant and food delivery worker with life-threatening injuries. Witnessing the attack, fourth-level Sprott Shaw College nursing student Klara McCallum came to Habibi’s aid to stop the bleeding and stabilize him while awaiting an ambulance. Those decisive actions and quick thinking played a part in saving Habibi’s life.
McCallum’s aid did not stop after the attack, as she then set up a fundraiser through GoFundMe to raise money for Habibi’s recovery.
“I’m determined to help this young man MAKE IT, not just survive,” she writes on the fundraising page. “I want to see him thrive. He deserves much better.”
The fundraiser tripled its $10,000 goal, raising $31,267 for Habibi. In an interview with CBC News, Habibi expressed his gratitude for the assistance.
“It means a lot,” he said, “I have hope, I have faith I am going to recover, and I want to stand up on my feet and be an active person in society.”
In recognition of her courage and drive to go above and beyond in helping an innocent victim get back on his feet, Sprott Shaw College presented Klara McCallum with a special Community Service Award and donated $500 to Habibi’s GoFundMe recovery fund.
“Our thanks and praise go out to Klara for demonstrating the courage and confidence to apply her learning in a moment of crisis—without hesitation,” said Sprott Shaw College President, Victor Tesan. “Her actions embody the essence of nursing, and I am sure that after graduation her career will be full of inspirational moments that will touch the lives of many.”
McCallum is currently finishing her nursing program and intends to graduate as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2023.
