Linda Ryan is a local breast cancer “Thriver” and founder-champion of Pink Days In Bloom and The Pink Tree Project, a high-spirited awareness and fundraising initiative in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Pink Days In Bloom combines a love of gardening with healthy and beautiful living, and is held primarily at participating garden centres and various other venues during the summer via the sale of pink plants and other activities. Linda raises awareness through “The Pink Tree Project” by planting pink-flowering trees in private gardens and public parks in St. John's and environs, across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the country.
On June 9th, at a national ceremony in Ottawa, Linda was the honoured with the 2015-2016 Canada’s Volunteer Award in the category of Community Leader - Atlantic Canada. A $5,000 grant accompanied this award for an eligible charity of Linda’s choice. Linda chose to split the grant for a $2,500 contribution each to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Avalon Dragons. In July, Linda was awarded the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers in Halifax by the Governor General of Canada, The Honourable David Johnston. To date, through the Pink Days In Bloom initiative, over $100,000 has been raised for breast cancer research and community programs.