Inspired by the Award-Winning 'Thriver Thursday’ Digital Series, the Live Celebration Honors Everyday Heroes Making A Significant Impact in Communities Across the Globe
2020 THRIVERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS
Ryan and his stepdaughter Violet both battled cancer in 2019. He paid for and delivered meals to thank the healthcare workers who saved them. Even though Ryan’s cancer returned earlier this year, he created and runs a non-profit to continue feeding frontline healthcare workers and supporting the struggling local restaurants.
When she was 7 years old, Aaliyah Stewart lost her brother to gun violence. Then, she lost a second brother and two more relatives in separate gun violence incidents. At age 14, Aaliyah created a non-profit to provide scholarships in their names. Now, at age 20, Aaliyah is an advocate for families suffering from loss and working on a youth facility center for kids in her community.
Amanda Kloots lost her husband, Tony Award®-nominated actor Nick Cordero, due to complications related to coronavirus. During Cordero’s 13-week hospitalization, Kloots rallied her social media followers each day to support her husband and for all to come together during the difficult time. Despite her devastating loss, she has remained resilient and continues to inspire and advocate for Broadway relief, along with various organizations, to support the struggling Broadway community and its workers.
When she was 15 years old, Hannah Lucas attempted suicide. Three years later, she didn’t want others to feel as alone or isolated as she once felt while battling a medical illness and mental health issues. With her younger brother Charlie, she created the NotOK app to help those struggling with mental illness, addiction issues, or who are in crisis or need help. Their app is expanding into other countries and has seen a significant spike in downloads and usage during the pandemic.
Abi Brittain and her two toddler sons survived an unimaginable car accident that left her fighting for her life, on a ventilator for months and left one of her sons with a permanent brain injury. Abi was so inspired by the nurses who helped save her and her family that she enrolled in nursing school. More than two decades later, she’s a nurse at the very same hospital that saved her, and she’s working to save others on the frontlines in the pandemic.