Susan Andrist is the volunteer President for Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s (MDC) Northern BC branch.  She was born in Kamloops and has previously lived in Prince Rupert, Burnaby, Victoria, Dawson Creek and Mackenzie.  She was widowed eight years ago and has since remarried.  She credits her husband with helping her efforts to hold as many successful events as possible.  Susan has no children of her own but has been blessed with a step-son and step-daughter as well as a new grandson.

Susan has a neuromuscular disorder covered by Muscular Dystrophy Canada and decided when she moved to Prince George that she wanted to volunteer with the organization that had helped her for years.  The Northern BC chapter was quite small at the time, but Susan says with strong relationships and fundraising, the chapter has grown steadily.

Since 1954, Muscular Dystrophy Canada has been committed to improving the quality of life for the tens of thousands of Canadians with neuromuscular disorders and funding research for the discovery of cures and therapies for the disorders. 

Susan works out of her Prince George home, but the Western Canada Regional Office is located in Vancouver.  As a volunteer for the organization, she directs inquiries to the Vancouver office.  However, she does manage local fundraising events, newsletters and keeps the organization’s members in Northern B.C. connected and involved.

MDC’s mandate is to ensure that people with neuromuscular disorders lead full and engaged lives by providing services that increase mobility and encourage independence.  They also aim to increase awareness and motivate changes in social policy at the national level.