At University Health Network we are very fortunate to have three foundations: the Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre (AARC) Foundation, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Foundation, and Toronto General & Western Hospital (TG&WH) Foundation. Their combined efforts raised more than $150-million net in 2006/07 for research, medical education and patient care.

Understanding the Impact of Arthritis

In 2006/07, the AARC Foundation aimed to expand its donor base and raise awareness about the critical need to fund arthritis research. A new tagline and website, www.beatarthritis.ca, were introduced, and a fresh new yoga event, “Power of Movement,” boosted public awareness and participation. This year also saw the start of a study about the impact of arthritis on our economy and workplaces.

Gift of Stock: An Innovative Fundraising Alternative

This past year, the PMH Foundation raised more than $73-million. The “Give the Gift of Stock” national campaign was launched, and the renovated Breast Centre and the Weekend to End Breast Cancer Survivorship Centre opened, thanks to generous donations from the WEBC walkers and donors. A generous commitment of $3.5-million was received from The Dr. Geoffrey R. Conway Foundation for a state-of-the-art chemotherapy unit, and the Kevin and Sandra Sullivan Chair in Surgical Oncology and The J. Douglas Crashley Chair in Gynecological Cancer Research were established.

Historic Donation Makes 2006/07 a Landmark Year

TG&WH Foundation raised a phenomenal $78-million in 2006/07. The historic $30-million gift received from Peter and Melanie Munk (see photo, right) will support a world-class imaging, intervention and innovation cardiac centre as well as an endowed chair in cardiac imaging at Toronto General Hospital. The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine opened, and welcomed leading stem cell scientist, Dr. Gordon Keller. Rob and Cheryl McEwen also gave an additional gift of $10-million to support several initiatives at the Centre, including post-doctoral fellowships, an embryonic stem cell laboratory, and imaging facilities. In addition, UHN's research in Parkinson's disease attracted $1-million plus gifts from the United Kingdom and Switzerland.