Toronto’s Chinese-Canadian community donates to brain research and care
Toronto’s Chinese Canadian community has contributed close to $400,000 to help fund a new building for brain sciences at Sunnybrook.
The funds were raised at Night of Awesome, an exclusive dinner at North York’s luxe sushi bar, Shoushin, on September 24 and featured Dr. Anthony Levitt, chief of Sunnybrook’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program; Sunnybrook sleep neurology specialist Dr. Andrew Lim; and Toronto Mayor John Tory. The event was part of Shoushin’s corporate social responsibility project Shou Me Your Kindness.
Sunnybrook’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre will foster collaboration and innovative research across the three most common brain disorders — stroke, dementia and mental illness. By linking experts across the disciplines, it will help accelerate research that returns patients to their families faster and healthier than before.
“Together, stroke, dementia and mental illness are expected to surpass heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death and disability in Canada by the year 2020,” says Dr. Levitt. “This generous gift will have a significant impact on our ability to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these devastating diseases.”
Night of Awesome was the inspiration of Judy Lee, volunteer, and William Cheng, president of Premier Candle Corporation. “We all know someone who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, depression or the effects of a stroke,” says Cheng. “This was an opportunity for those who care deeply for our community to change countless lives.” Adds Lee, "I am grateful to the kind-hearted community leaders and entrepreneurs who came together to help Sunnybrook save lives."
Toronto Mayor John Tory told the 25 guests that their gifts are an investment in one of Toronto’s most “beloved” health institutions and source of internationally-recognized health research and innovation. “Sunnybrook’s doctors are undoubtedly dedicated and passionate in not only finding cures for neurological illnesses, but helping those who face these challenges day to day. The contributions made will go a long way to building a new state-of-the-art centre for brain research and care.”
“An ambitious vision like the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre only becomes reality when extraordinary people step forward and embrace our plans,” says Dr. Jon Dellandrea, president and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation. “Thank you to each and every one of our Night of Awesome benefactors for helping Sunnybrook change and save lives.”
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Full media release
Toronto’s Chinese-Canadian community donates $400,000 for research and care of brain disorders at Sunnybrook
November 16, 2015 (Toronto, ON) — Toronto’s Chinese Canadian community has contributed close to $400,000 to help fund a new building for brain sciences at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The funds were raised at Night of Awesome, an exclusive dinner at North York’s luxe sushi bar, Shoushin, on September 24 and featured Dr. Anthony Levitt, chief of Sunnybrook’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program; Sunnybrook sleep neurology specialist Dr. Andrew Lim; and Toronto Mayor John Tory. The event was part of Shoushin’s corporate social responsibility project Shou Me Your Kindness.
Sunnybrook’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre will foster collaboration and innovative research across the three most common brain disorders — stroke, dementia and mental illness. By linking experts across the disciplines, it will help accelerate research that returns patients to their families faster and healthier than before.
“Together, stroke, dementia and mental illness are expected to surpass heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death and disability in Canada by the year 2020,” says Dr. Levitt. “This generous gift will have a significant impact on our ability to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these devastating diseases.”
Night of Awesome was the inspiration of Judy Lee, volunteer, and William Cheng, president of Premier Candle Corporation. “We all know someone who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, depression or the effects of a stroke,” says Cheng. “This was an opportunity for those who care deeply for our community to change countless lives.” Adds Lee, "I am grateful to the kind-hearted community leaders and entrepreneurs who came together to help Sunnybrook save lives."
Toronto Mayor John Tory told the 25 guests that their gifts are an investment in one of Toronto’s most “beloved” health institutions and source of internationally-recognized health research and innovation. “Sunnybrook’s doctors are undoubtedly dedicated and passionate in not only finding cures for neurological illnesses, but helping those who face these challenges day to day. The contributions made will go a long way to building a new state-of-the-art centre for brain research and care.”
“An ambitious vision like the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre only becomes reality when extraordinary people step forward and embrace our plans,” says Dr. Jon Dellandrea, president and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation. “Thank you to each and every one of our Night of Awesome benefactors for helping Sunnybrook change and save lives.”
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For more information, contact:
Nadia Radovini
Communications Advisor
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
(416) 480-4040
Henrietta Sung
Chief Executive Officer
Event Enroute Inc.
(647) 998-6999
Sunnybrook thanks the following top Night of Awesome supporters:
Canada Computers
Bill Chen – Sunny Supermarket
William Cheng and Family
Jiangsu International Business Association of Canada
Karen Qiu – Sunny Supermarket
Rez–One Students Living – Julia Zhang
Willow Springs Winery - Sheridan Huang
Sunnybrook also thanks the following supporters:
Benson Hong
Hakka No. 1 Restaurant
Mark’s Family
North Key Trading Company
Jack Chuen Sang Tsui
About Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is inventing the future of health care for the 1.2 million patients the hospital cares for each year through the dedication of its more than 13,000 staff, students and volunteers. An internationally recognized leader in research and education and a full affiliation with the University of Toronto distinguishes Sunnybrook as one of Canada’s premier academic health sciences centres. Sunnybrook specializes in caring for high-risk pregnancies, critically-ill newborns and adults, offering specialized rehabilitation and treating and preventing cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological and psychiatric disorders, orthopaedic and arthritic conditions and traumatic injuries. The Hospital also has a unique and national leading program for the care of Canada’s war veterans. For more information about how Sunnybrook is inventing the future of health care please visit us online at www.sunnybrook.ca.
