Now the recent grad’s efforts are being recognized as the Common Law Section’s fifth winner of the Royal Society of Canada’s Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize.
The Prize, in the amount of $1,000, is presented annually to a graduating law student in each of the law schools in Canada who is most likely to positively influence equity and social justice in Canada or globally. It was created to mark Justice Abella’s retirement from the Supreme Court of Canada in 2021.
Ever the fighter, Alex transformed a deeply personal challenge into a platform for public advocacy. He has spoken openly about his experience with a brain tumour to raise awareness and support others facing serious illness.
Hepner, who graduated on schedule in June, suffered a medical setback this summer, so is “extremely moved” to receive the award.
“In some of the darkest days of my life, it is a reminder of brighter days ahead, and it feels good to be recognized for the work I have been doing,” he says. “I have a unique opportunity in a genuinely exciting field to make more change than I ever anticipated when I got into uOttawa in August 2023.”
After graduating, which he calls “one of the most triumphant days of my life,” he found out that his most recent MRI showed the experimental drug he had been advocating for was no longer working well enough, and that it was time to begin chemotherapy and radiation.
He still wrote and passed the Law Society’s solicitor's exam the following week, but his summer became daily trips to Princess Margaret Hospital.
The first three weeks of treatment, he said, were great – his energy was fine, he was DJing amazing parties, and his song was played at Budweiser Stage by a huge DJ while he was standing in the crowd. “Truthfully, I started to feel invincible.”
But three weeks into daily radiation and chemo, he began to experience the side effects and has had to focus exclusively on recovery since then.
“The weeks that followed were brutal. Everything went on hold: DJing, friends, career, the gym. No energy for any of it. I was finally getting to the places I have worked my whole life to reach, and having to hit pause on all of it, without explanation to many of the people around me, has been very difficult to navigate. Apart from surgery recovery and the initial diagnosis, it has been the hardest stretch of my treatment.”
But the good news is that surrounded by friends and family, he recently rang the bell to mark the end of the grueling daily radiation therapy he underwent. He’s now itching to resume his articling at his very supportive employer Beard Winter LLP.
“This summer has been hell, but I'm through the worst of it. If there is any silver lining, it's that this is a new chapter in the story rather than the end of one. I've gone from being the person doing the advocating to the person in need of advocacy, and that's worth saying out loud.”
As someone whose life has been reshaped by science, Alex has is using his legal training to advocate for continued investment in cancer research.
Recognizing that his own treatment was made possible through years of research and access to specialized care, Alex has advocated for increased cancer research funding, participated in policy advocacy efforts with the American Association for Cancer Research, and raised more than $50,000 for Princess Margaret Hospital's Journey to Conquer Cancer. Through these efforts, he has highlighted the importance of ensuring that life-saving treatments are accessible to all who need them.
“Alex's commitment to using his legal education, personal experience, and public voice to advance health equity and support vulnerable communities makes him a highly deserving recipient of the Justice Abella Prize,” said Rachel Leck, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs.
Last year, the Faculty awarded Hepner the inaugural Alex Stewart Memorial Bursary. Stewart received his law degree posthumously last June after losing a battle with cancer.
Earlier this year, Alex was featured in our Fauteux Families series as he began law school 44 years after his grandmother Ellen Stensholt graduated in 1979.
For Alex’s full story’s see 3L Student Alex Hepner is using his voice to champion cancer research.
Congratulations Alex on this well-deserved award and we are all rooting for you in your recovery! You’ve got this!
