‘We’re thrilled,’ says Brigadoon executive director as David McKeage appointed to Order of Nova Scotia

A ceremony later this month will recognize the achievements of 5 people as they are presented with the Order of Nova Scotia.

One of those named to the Order is the late David McKeage, who died in late December at the age of 49.

He founded Brigadoon Villlage, a camp for children living with chronic illness.

McKeage was diagnosed with cancer four times, the first when he was just 11.

Brigadoon's executive director David Graham says, as a young man, McKeage had the chance to get involved with the Canadian Cancer Society's Camp Goodtime.

“He saw an opportunity in our province to create a facility where children with other diagnoses, including cancer, could have an experience away from hospitals home and school,” Graham told NEWS 95.7's The Sheldon MacLeod Show. “Where they could meet other kids with the same diagnosis as them and realize that they were not alone.”

Brigadoon launched in 2011 when it welcomed 38 campers with Crohn's and Colitis to its Guts & Glory program. It has since grown to become the largest pediatric illness camp program in Canada. The summer of 2019 saw 782 campers participating in 14 programs.

“Dave knew what they were sharing and experiencing at Brigadoon was something that would transform the way they looked at themselves and their potential for the future,” said Graham.

Graham is thrilled the province is recognizing the contribution McKeage has made to the province.

“He would credit all those people who came to the table to support the vision that he had for what he wanted to create in the province,” said Graham. “He was somebody who did not like to take credit, even when credit was due.”

Halifax's Dr. Noni MacDonald has also been appointed to the Order this year. When she came to the province in 1999 to work at Dalhousie University, she became the first woman in Canada to hold the position of Dean of a Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. MacDonald is considered a pioneer in the medical community and was the first pediatrician in Canada certified in pediatric infectious diseases by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The 2019 recipients will be recognized at the 18th investiture ceremony on November 26th, at Province House.