Connect with a coordinator
Get personalized support by connecting with a coordinator who can guide you through managing your Alpha-1.
AlphaNet Canada Coordinators
AlphaNet Canada services are provided through direct contact with AlphaNet Canada Coordinators. If you have already been assigned a coordinator, please scroll down to find their contact information. Each coordinator is an Alpha, is living with symptoms of the condition, and has received both initial and ongoing specialized training. The coordinators can guide Alphas through many of the challenges they face, answering questions and providing emotional support when needed. The coordinator also serves as a resource, keeping Alphas up-to-date with the latest information about Alpha-1 and the Canadian Alpha community.
AlphaNet Canada Coordinators’ Services include:
Being available to answer questions within one business day
Contacting each subscriber on an agreed upon basis to ensure lines of communication remain open and that support is provided as needed
Providing education about Alpha-1 and how to live healthier lives through proven disease management techniques
Sharing information about current clinical trials and research
Connecting subscribers to other Alpha-1 resources
Facilitating community referrals, health system navigation, expert-led virtual information sessions,
and access to disease management tools.
Connect with a coordinator
Jon Holmes
I’m Jon Holmes, and I proudly serve with AlphaNet Canada, supporting individuals living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. My journey with Alpha-1 began in 2011, shaping my understanding of the challenges faced by those living with this condition. After managing asthma since childhood and remaining active for many years, a return of respiratory symptoms led to my diagnosis of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. I received augmentation therapy before undergoing a bilateral lung transplant in 2020.
Professionally, I am an Industrial Designer with a focus on marketing, with experience spanning architecture, contract furniture, and biomedical technology. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, including hiking, canoeing, and camping.
As part of the AlphaNet Canada team, I value connecting with the patient community, sharing experiences, and offering support. I am also committed to advancing care through patient engagement and advocacy, and to raising awareness about the importance of organ, stem cell, blood, and plasma donation.
Ileine Matton
I was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in the winter of March 2008.  Until that point, I had never experienced any visible deterioration of my respiratory functions except for having, what I was told at the time was, chronic bronchitis. I was getting out of breath quickly.  A change of physicians and a few tests later and the Alpha-1 diagnosis was made—and confirmed! I have been on augmentation therapy since September 2015.
I was born in a little French speaking town just outside of North Bay called Astroville in Ontario. I currently live in a tiny community close to Barrie and volunteering in my community is very important to me.  I also enjoy gardening, travelling, quilting, reading, yoga, walking, my precious grandchildren and my husband whom has been the most supportive person through all of this.
I really enjoy working with people. I have worked at a Bilingual Employment Centre in Ontario with different levels of responsibilities including supervisory experience. As I continued my journey and working full time, it became important for me to return to College and complete several courses such as Human Resources Manager, Career and Information Specialist, Employment Coach, Supportive Counselling and Common Assessment. I work as a Bilingual Clerical support person for the municipal government office.
I am humbled and honored to be a member of the AlphaNet Canada Family. I want to give back, and help other Alphas. I am looking forward to learning from everyone’s experience and I believe that we have the potential to build a unique community. Together we can support each other, and provide vital information to researchers which will ultimately help in finding a cure. I look forward to connecting with you.
Rick Scott
My name is Rick Scott, and I serve as a Coordinator with AlphaNet Canada, supporting individuals living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
I retired early from Scotiabank after a 30-year career in automotive finance, during which I led international operations across multiple regions. In retirement, I’ve enjoyed renovating homes and spending time on the golf course.
I was diagnosed with Alpha-1 in 2010 after experiencing persistent shortness of breath. Following an initial misdiagnosis, my wife’s determination led us to pursue further testing, which ultimately confirmed the condition. I later participated in a clinical study for an inhaled therapy and began augmentation therapy in 2013. Since then, my condition has remained stable.
I’m pleased to be part of the AlphaNet Canada team and value the opportunity to support others by sharing my experience and contributing to the community.
Mike Benn
I was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency in 2006. I had no symptoms at all until I turned 56 years old. I started having significant breathing issues in 2005, was initially misdiagnosed with asthma, and fortunately tested for Alpha-1 about a year later by an allergist. My major symptom is chronic bronchitis. I began augmentation therapy in 2007.
I was a U.S. Navy officer for 26 years, retiring in 1996. I subsequently spent time as a corporate recruiter, a small business owner, and financial advisor. My financial advisor career ended in 2009, much earlier than planned, due to breathing issues. Shortly thereafter, I became a Patient Services Coordinator for AlphaNet in the U.S. I served in that role until early 2021, adding responsibilities as the AlphaNet Canada manager in 2014. When an AlphaNet Canada Coordinator position became available in early 2021, I arranged to assume that position myself, and now focus on Alphas in Canada full-time.
I grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, left for 30 years, and moved back with my wife Pat when I retired from the Navy. I spend much of my time off on the lake bass fishing.
My own AlphaNet Coordinator was invaluable to me when I was first diagnosed. My goal with AlphaNet Canada is to provide the same level of assistance to Canadian Alphas.
Shawna Zwolle
My name is Shawna Zwolle, and I serve as a Coordinator with AlphaNet Canada. I feel both privileged and humbled to support individuals living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency as part of this team.
I was born and raised in Edmonton and have lived in several communities across Canada. My connection to Alpha-1 began when my brother was diagnosed in 2019, prompting our family to pursue testing. I was subsequently diagnosed the same year, which helped explain ongoing respiratory symptoms and low energy. Since beginning treatment, I have gained a deeper appreciation for how differently this condition can affect each individual.
I bring over 40 years of experience in healthcare, primarily in administrative roles across specialties such as transplant care, oncology, and infection prevention and control. My work has focused on supporting patients, coordinating with healthcare teams, and navigating complex systems of care.
I value opportunities to connect with others, and in my personal time, I enjoy antiquing, crafting, exploring new places, and continuing to learn Latin.
Anne Thiffault
With 30 years of experience in the aeronautics sector as a human resources manager, project manager and customer account manager, I have taken on many challenges and always succeeded in putting people first. I retired from the industry in 2021 but wanted to take on other challenges. I am delighted to now join the AlphaNet Canada team of Coordinators. I had many lung problems in my childhood and adolescence. Repeated pneumonia led me to have a lobectomy of my left lung at 14 years old. I was then able to do all the activities I wanted. I was a swimming pool and beach lifeguard, a swimming and
downhill skiing instructor and did a lot of aquafitness throughout my studies.
In 2017, at age 50, I started having more severe breathing problems during demanding exercise. I experienced lots of shortness of breath and an unusual lack of energy for me. After pulmonology tests, the diagnosis came in 2018, Alpha 1 deficiency, ZZ genotype. I started augmentation therapy shortly after and I still have my infusions once a week. My condition is now stable. I still enjoy swimming, and for several years, perfecting my golf technique.
I am convinced that my Alpha peers and I will be able to build a relationship of trust and that our discussions will eventually help other Alphas.
Je suis Anne Thiffault, Coordonnatrice bilingue pour la province de Québec. Je demeure à Blainville depuis 10 ans, après quelques années à Toronto et à Québec.
Forte d’une expérience de 30 ans dans le milieu aéronautique à titre de gestionnaire en ressources humaines, gestionnaire de projets et gestionnaire de comptes-client, j’ai relevé de nombreux défis et toujours réussi à mettre l’humain en avant plan. J’ai pris ma retraite du milieu en 2021 mais je souhaitais relever d’autres défis. Après quelques mandats reliés à mon expertise, je suis ravie de me joindre maintenant à l’équipe de coordonnateurs d’AlphaNet Canada.
J’ai eu de nombreux problèmes pulmonaires dans mon enfance et adolescence. Des pneumonies à répétition m’ont amenée à subir une lobectomie du poumon gauche à 14 ans. J’ai ensuite pu faire toutes les activités que je souhaitais. J’ai été sauveteur en piscine et plage, monitrice de natation et de ski alpin et fait beaucoup d’aquaforme tout le temps de mes études.
En 2017, à 50 ans, j’ai commencé à avoir des problèmes respiratoires plus importants lors d’exercices exigeants. Beaucoup d’essoufflements et un manque d’énergie inhabituel pour moi. Après des tests en pneumologie, le diagnostic est tombé en 2018, déficit en Alpha 1, génotype ZZ. J’ai débuté une thérapie d’augmentation peu de temps après et j’ai toujours mes perfusions une fois semaine. Mon état est maintenant stable. J’ai encore du plaisir à nager, et depuis quelques années, à perfectionner ma technique au golf.
Je suis convaincue que mes pairs Alpha et moi sauront bâtir une relation de confiance et que nos discussions sauront éventuellement aider d’autres Alphas.
