| Health, Well-Being and Medical Research |
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation There really was no choice this year: our Brendan Wood contribution went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and we matched the BWI amount. It is too bad that there was no choice, but this year Gloria underwent breast cancer surgery, followed by chemotherapy at the Princess Margaret Hospital, also a deserving facility. Established in 1986, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is the largest charitable organization in Canada dedicated exclusively to supporting the advancement of breast cancer research, education, diagnosis and treatment. We believe that the funds we provide will be best used to attack a disease which strikes one in nine women. So here’s to early detection and self-examination - it is so important. - Richard Rotman and Gloria Stein
Canadian Cancer Society As part of Brendan Wood International’s generous Christmas time Lazarus Project, I will be making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society. Cancer is a disease that has affected many of my close family and friends, including my father, along with many other people in the world. As a charity whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life of people living with cancer, I believe that the Canadian Cancer Society is a deserving organization that will, hopefully, one day become obsolete. - Eugene Chan
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Your Christmas Story is a heart-warming one and you should be commended on your generosity. I have opted to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. For the past nine years Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon (LOM) has hosted a Gala and Auction to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. This highly acclaimed gala event has quickly become one of the MS Society’s leading fundraisers and the “Bay Street party of the year”. Net proceeds from the dinner and 100% of the proceeds from the auction are donated to the MS Society. Thanks to the generosity and support of the business community, LOM’s Gala has raised in excess of one million dollars for the MS Society. LOM is committed to continuing in the fight against this disease which affects an estimated 50,000 Canadians. - Garrett Herman
Dustin Leopold Quest for a Cure This year we forwarded BWI’s generous Christmas contribution to the Dustin Leopold Quest for a Cure. This is a fund set up for the purpose of supporting research on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). There is no known cause or cure for IBD. In Canada an estimated 100,000 men and women suffer from IBD. People are most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 15- 25, or 45-55. The disease is particularly difficult for children and young adults since it often affects a person’s self-concept, body image and lifestyle at a time when “being like every one else” is so important. Canada is believed to have one of the highest incidence rates of IBD in the world. The Dustin Leopold fund was set up in memory of Dustin Leopold who lost his fight to Chrohn’s disease before his 18th birthday. My particular interest stems from the fact that my late father was married to Dustin’s grandmother, and my son attended high school with him. Dustin’s grandmother recently passed away and I made the donation to this fund in her memory. - Larry Himmelfarb
Easter Seals Sailing Regatta This year my donation will go to Easter Seals. This is, of course, for handicapped children. The particular program I would like to support is the 2003 Sailing Regatta to be held again in my hometown of Thornbury. Last year we raised $8,000. This donation will help with all the initial costs involved to promote this event. We hope to make the Regatta larger this year and hope to raise $16,000 or more! - Verla Moore
Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that robs people of their memories, their independence, and ultimately, their lives. As the leading provider of grants for Alzheimer research in universities and hospitals across Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Canada is ensuring that a cure can be found as soon as possible. In addition to funding research, the Society also promotes public awareness, and provides information resources and support services for families and individuals affected by this crippling disease. - Alfred Wirth Toronto People With AIDS Foundation Imagine having the HIV virus, but this being only number 4 or 5 on your list of troubles. It is exactly those men, women and their families who are in this situation that the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation seeks to help. For the past 3 summers I have ridden my bike to Montreal to raise money for this incredibly compassionate foundation. The ride, which takes 6 days and covers 660 km, asks each rider to raise a minimum of $2000 in order to ride (I would like to again thank each of my colleagues who sponsored me last year.) All costs associated with the rally are covered by corporate donations enabling 100% of the funds raised to make it to end recipients. Each year there are several riders who are living with HIV/AIDS and who are users of the foundation’s services, and who desperately want to contribute through riding but find the fundraising goal very tough and miss the $2000 minimum by a couple hundred dollars. Using the Brendan Wood International donation as a seed, I have started a fund which helps these riders get over the $2000 hurdle, allowing them to ride. The Bike Rally raised over $400,000 last year - a significant jump from $68,000 four years ago. The Bike Rally is now TPWAF’s largest fundraiser and has enabled the creation of several new services as well as dramatically enhancing existing ones. - Stewart Borden
Philip Aziz Centre
In 1991 an artist and teacher by the name of Philip Aziz became terminally ill with HIV/
AIDS – and during the last year of his life was taken in and cared for by a small church
group on the Esplanade in Toronto, known as the Church in the City. Philip left his estate
to the church and asked them to create a hospice to care for people infected with this
devastating disease, treating them with dignity during the last days of their life, such as he
was treated by the new friends he first met in 1991. The Philip Aziz Centre was incorporated
in 1995 and since then has helped not only those infected or affected with AIDS, but
as well young children with terminal cancer, through home hospice care.
The PAC provides many services, including:
In summary: This is such a critical and yet challenging time in the life of the Philip Aziz Centre – critical because of the growing funding required to help support an increase in referrals from persons living with a life-threatening illness – challenging because the stigma of HIV/AIDS must be removed, doors must be opened to seek the support and compassion from those who cannot ignore the fact that there is no cure – and that the very least we can do is provide these vulnerable human beings with dignity and respect. The staff and volunteers at PAC provide unconditional care without discrimination to all persons affected by terminal illness. Thank you again for your gift and for the opportunity to describe what I truly believe is a compassionate organization whose leaders and volunteers offer hope and dignity to those they serve, and who are delivering social services at one of the highest levels in the city of Toronto. - Don and Judi Pangman
Meagan’s Walk I have forwarded BWI’s generous Christmas contribution to Meagan’s Walk in memory of Meagan Bebenek. Five-year-old Meagan died in June 2001 after a six month battle with brain stem glioma, a terminal form of brain cancer. Meagan lived on the same street as some of my dearest friends and while I never had the pleasure of meeting her I continue to be inspired by her and her family. Meagan’s story has touched the hearts of thousands across the City and beyond and there are satellite walks already taking place in countries such as England, Germany and Singapore to name a few. The first Annual Meagan’s Walk in Toronto was held on May 12th, 2002 - Mother’s Day, and raised more than $98,000 and involved more than 800 participants. The event ended in a ceremony at The Hospital for Sick Children with all the participants forming a human hug around the Hospital to give hope to those children inside. Following are some excerpts of the words of hope given by Denise Bebenek, Meagan’s mother, at this event: “Brain tumours are the leading cause of death from cancer in children under age 15. My family is a casualty of that statistic in the person of Meagan to whom this walk is dedicated. The number of laboratories with an emphasis in pediatric brain tumour research in Canada is but one, and is associated with this very hospital- The Hospital for Sick Children. It’s grossly underfunded. The need for this research, now, is immense. That’s where all the proceeds of this walk are going. By your participation, you will share ownership in the early stages of a cure. We have chosen this event in such a visible way for two reasons. First, to bring a long overdue awareness to our community and country of this devastating disease and the desperate need for research. Second, to demonstrate to the children inside this marvelous hospital, our hope for them and their future. We realize that each child is a gift to be cherished and with each premature death, we realize the loss of outstanding potential. Do we just let that potential go? Or do we take on their potential and fight to save young lives. This is the gift Meagan leaves us. Her life has taught us to walk each day with greater ambition and much greater awareness that each person’s needs are important and filled with meaning. Meagan’s death should in fact teach us about living, that we must uncover our own gifts. If we trust in ourselves and in the universe, make the most of each life situation given to us and genuinely try to accept all things given to us as true gifts, then there can only be greater energy and passion for life and for one another. Today is an example. Our passion for life and for helping children whose lives are threatened demonstrates that we are all making a difference. My hope is that we all individually take home the greatest gift of all: to have the quiet confidence that there is a path to hope and peace for our own individual missions in life, and for the other Meagans awaiting for us to help find a cure for this devastating disease. The impossible is possible if, and only if we choose to make it so. May all the children of the world continue to teach us that life should not be looked upon as needing to live with great sacrifices and duties, but rather to learn to live from our hearts. They are our greatest teachers. May this hug show them all inside today that we are listening.” - Nora Turkevics |
