At this time of year, it is natural for many of us to take stock of the last 12 months and evaluate the year that has passed. I’m proud to say that 2016 saw a remarkably strong response from our community of donors. Your support helped us provide more care to older adults, fund new initiatives to advance the research that improves treatments and identifies preventative practices, and continued to cement Baycrest’s reputation as a world-leading care and research institution.

Below are just a few highlights of what you, our donors, helped Baycrest achieve during 2016:

• January 2016 – Baycrest’s Volunteer Services Department wins the 2016 Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS) Award for Jewish Programming. Donations are essential to the Volunteer Department’s budget for special programming.
• April 2016 – Dr. Nasreen Khatri, researcher with the Rotman Research Institute (RRI) received Ontario’s 2016 Leading Women, Building Communities Award for her contributions to the community. The award was presented by Premier Kathleen Wynne. Donations to Dr. Khatri’s research have helped her advance advocacy and care in mental health and gerontology province-wide. 
• May 2016 – The 11th annual Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’s charity hockey tournament in support of Baycrest raises $1.65 million. To date, this ever-popular player-donor event has helped raise nearly $30 million for Baycrest.
• June 2016 – The Brain Project charitable art installation launches citywide, captivating millions of Torontonians and tourists throughout the summer while raising awareness and funding for brain health and aging at Baycrest. The project raised $1.3 million for Baycrest.
• August 2016 – Baycrest researchers discover the part of the brain that compensates for hearing loss. Donor support helps our scientists advance knowledge of brain function, moving us closer to a day when we defeat dementia.
• September 2016 – The Annual Barrie to Baycrest (B2B) community fundraising bike ride raises more than $575,000 for Baycrest.
• October 2016 – The annual Dogs on the Catwalk charity fashion show raises more than $70,000 for Baycrest’s Volunteer Services Department, including the beloved pet therapy program.
• November 2016 – Baycrest Foundation’s Red Carpet Stage and Screen Series, led by Event Chair Wendy Switzer Myles and a passionate committee, featured four nights of film and comedic entertainment spanning from May to November 2016, and raised $250,000.

Your generosity and support play a direct role in our ability to add life to years.

Please consider making a year-end contribution in support of our mission to transform the journey of aging into one of optimal well-being and cognitive health at every age.

On behalf of everyone at the Baycrest Foundation, I thank and wish you and yours a very happy and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely,

Garry Foster
President & CEO, Baycrest Foundation