Josh Groban helps announce $8 million donation to Sunnybrook

Landmark gift from Aubrey and Marla Dan caps One Night Live^TM celebrations

TORONTO (ONTARIO) Feb. 28, 2008 - Award-winning recording artist Josh Groban was part of a landmark announcement today at the Air Canada Centre, in which Aubrey and Marla Dan made a gift of $8 million (CDN) to support the construction of a new home for the Women & Babies Program at Sunnybrook. This is one of the most significant private contributions to a women and babies program in the country and comes on an exciting day for Sunnybrook, which will be hosting One Night Live^TM, presented by Sun Life Financial, later in the evening.

Their gift will be honoured by naming the Aubrey & Marla Dan Program for High Risk Mothers & Babies at Sunnybrook. Women and babies will be referred to the Program when their medical circumstances demand the best expertise in high-risk obstetrics and neonatal care.

"Fifteen years ago, we experienced the exceptional care provided by the wonderful team of doctors and nurses in the Women & Babies Program with the birth of our daughter Alyse," said Marla Dan. "Aubrey and I know what a difficult time this can be for new parents, so we wanted to give back to the hospital to help provide the leading-edge facilities that mothers and their babies deserve. Our miracle baby is now a 15-year-old teenager."

The gift announcement comes on a monumental day for Sunnybrook. The Hospital is hosting One Night Live^TM, a first-of-its-kind concert fundraiser featuring Bryan Adams, Josh Groban, Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden and RyanDan. Josh Groban was on-hand this afternoon to announce the gift. One Night Live^TM has been an overwhelming success for Sunnybrook, and for the Women & Babies Program specifically, leading to over $12 million in contributions to support an extensive capital expansion for the Women & Babies Program.

Funds generated through the activities of One Night Live^TM and Aubrey and Marla Dans' gift will help build a state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot facility for the Women & Babies Program within the four-floor M-wing addition currently under construction at Sunnybrook. The new home will offer the most nurturing environment, and provide babies with the best start for lifelong, healthy development. It will ensure Sunnybrook's exceptional team of care providers has advanced and spacious surroundings in which to conduct its life-saving work. The Program currently delivers approximately 4,000 babies each year. The new facility will increase that number to 4,500.

"When our new home is complete in 2010, it will represent a significant improvement to the cramped facilities in which our Program currently functions at the Grenville Campus," said Dr. Jennifer Blake, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sunnybrook. "Donors like the Dans, and everyone attending One Night Live^TM tonight, will enable us to help families at this most important time - childbirth. We will be there for families with happy, uncomplicated pregnancies, but, thanks to this wonderful generosity, we will also be able to give the best start possible to those moms and babies who most need the expert care for which our program is known."

In addition to community support, the dedication of the corporate sponsors of One Night Live^TM made the night possible and is an indication of how these partnerships can help deliver much-needed care.

"We are honoured to sponsor this extraordinary concert, which brings together a stellar group of outstanding musicians and performing artists," said Donald A. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial. "We believe there can be no better example of our commitment to healthier futures than helping provide specialized care and equipment for the mothers and babies who need them most."

"We are absolutely thrilled by the support that the people of Toronto, and beyond, have thrown behind this event," said Jennifer Tory, Chair of Sunnybrook Foundation. "The success of this event, the attention the hospital and the Women & Babies Program has received, and the wonderful gift made by Aubrey and Marla Dan will bring us even closer to our $300 million Campaign for Sunnybrook goal. This has exceeded all our expectations."