As we gear up for World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, we thought we’d check in with Giovanna to get her to share her thoughts and experience of working and volunteering with Results to end TB. She was a big part of making last year a huge success and wants to encourage volunteers to get involved this year!
Giovanna first found Results Canada through an internship as part of her undergraduate studies in Global Health at York University. With a solid understanding of the social, political, and economic systems shaping health outcomes around the world, her foray into global health advocacy felt natural, and we’ve been lucky to see it grow right in front of our eyes as her relationship with Results evolved!
During her internship with us, Giovanna worked closely with our policy team, drafting policy recommendations and helping generate the political and public will to end tuberculosis (TB) – the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
One of the most unexpected aspects of TB advocacy, Giovanna notes, was realizing how little awareness there is about the disease and how prevalent it remains globally. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB takes millions of lives each year.
While she was encouraged by how receptive decision-makers can be when they are presented with clear data and personal stories about TB, the fact that progress on ending TB is stalled made it clear that continued advocacy and political engagement are so important. These experiences reinforced her belief that advocacy not only works but creates a long-lasting impact, even when progress feels slow.
As an intern, Giovanna helped organize and lead our World TB Day gathering in Toronto in 2025, bringing together experts, global health professionals, students and advocates for a moment of reflection but also action. For her, the day is a reminder that behind the statistics are real people whose lives are affected by TB every day, and the disparaging effects of global health inequity.
“TB is a disease of inequality,” she says, and political accountability is a must in shaping global health outcomes.
Now, as a Volunteer Ambassador and a graduate of our Fellowship program, Giovanna continues to use her voice every day whether that be meeting Members of Parliament, writing letters to the editor, mentoring volunteers, or a bit of all of this and more!
In her words, “You don’t need to be an expert to create change – only the courage to speak up, care deeply, and refuse to stay silent.”
She believes that every conversation and every action brings us one step closer to ending TB. Persistence, patience, and community are essential, and she emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support when advocacy feels challenging.
This year for World TB Day on March 24, you’ll find Giovanna and other volunteers at the CN Tower which will be lit in red. Are you in Toronto and want to join her? Get in touch with action@resultscanada.ca to learn more.
Want to be like Giovanna? Join us in the fight to end TB and address other issues that impact global poverty by becoming a volunteer.
