Jade Bell overdosed on a lethal injection of heroin and cocaine; a fateful decision he made under the influence of alcohol. Jade suffered from 15 minutes of oxygen deprivation and, as a result, he slipped into a coma for a month. When Jade awoke he could no longer speak, walk, or see, leaving him totally dependant on round-the-clock care. To this day doctors are amazed that he didn’t suffer any cognitive damage.
But he believes everything happens for a reason.
And believing is what gives Jade the motivation to carry on with what he does. Jade Bell speaks and presents in a moving and honest way. Over 200,000 students and adults have been moved by his experiences. Jade’s presentations prevent lives being lost or permanently damaged by drugs and alcohol.
Jade's personal mission is not to put a scratch but instead a huge dent in the growing epidemic that is plaguing our communities today.
Sabrina Aven was appointed Executive Director of the Jade’s KIDS Foundation in November 2007. She grew up in the same neighbourhood as Jade Bell, and has known him for about 20 years. She has a close relationship with Jade and is his primary caregiver and facilitator of his presentations.
Sabrina was born in Vernon, British Columbia and was educated at Centennial Senior Secondary School in Coquitlam, BC. She completed her schooling in 1999 and graduated college as an Environmental Assessment Technologist. Before working with Jade, she worked as an Executive Assistant for the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and the Land Trust Alliance of BC. Previously she has worked as a Park Naturalist, a salmon and shellfish Hatchery Technician, an Environmental Educator in public schools, the Administrative Assistant for a commercial dive company, and a legal secretary.
Sabrina lives on Salt Spring Island and is busy raising two active, adventurous, and loving young boys, Zyon and Kodiak. While co-parenting her children is of greatest importance, she also finds the time to make Jade’s care a vital and enjoyable part of her life, assisting him with all his personal and business needs, while helping to deliver his message to the world!
Although she doesn’t have much free-time on hand, she does enjoy supporting her sons interests like sports, arts, and music. She enjoys singing and playing her guitar and flute, martial arts, hot yoga, and appreciates nature and helping to ensure it is conserved for the children of future generations.
Sabrina’s passion for the environment and humanity have brought her where she is today; living in a small community with strong environmental values, and sharing Jade’s passion of delivering his message to the youth around the world, in an effort to give children the opportunity to enjoy their time on this planet while making healthy life choices.