Thank You for Another Incredible Year of Support in 2019

Share this
Photo of Thank You

Taking a look back at the last 12 months, I’m proud to say that 2019 saw continued strong support from you, our community of donors. You helped us provide more daily care to older adults, fund new initiatives to advance the research that improves treatments and identifies preventative practices, and further cemented Baycrest’s reputation as a world-leading care, research and innovation centre.

Thanks to you, Baycrest achieved so much during 2019. Here are a few of the outstanding highlights from this year:

  • January 2019 – TD Bank Group donates $1 million toward support of Baycrest’s Alpha Omega Dental Centre for Geriatric Care. This Centre is an invaluable addition to the clinical services offered at Baycrest, providing dental care to older adults who can’t be accommodated in general dental practices.

  • February 2019 – Three of Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute (RRI) scientists secured more than $1.5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The funding supports RRI scientists whose work focuses on understanding how the brain’s ability to process information changes during aging to help determine the causes of cognitive decline in older adults, identify potential predictors and approaches for the treatment of age-related brain disorders and illuminates lifestyle practices that will protect individuals’ brain health.

  • May 2019 –The Yogen Früz Brain Project returned for a fourth year, raising brain health awareness and funds to advance groundbreaking research on dementia and aging at Baycrest. Local and international artists and celebrities transformed 50 blank brains into thought-provoking pieces of art. The citywide initiative captivated millions of Torontonians and tourists throughout the summer. This year, the project raised more than $500,000 for Baycrest.

  • June 2019 – Clinical trials and research at Baycrest got underway in conjunction with the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), a national research initiative bringing together more than 300 Canadian researchers and clinicians to tackle neurodegenerative diseases that affect cognition in aging – including Alzheimer's disease.

  • August 2019 – The newly launched Baycrest Innovation Office (BIO) began a pilot project in the Apotex Centre, Jewish Home for the Aged, with the Smart Suite. It uses cutting-edge technology in aging customized to each resident’s needs. From Artificial Intelligence-powered voice assistants to smart toilets, the technology is tailored toward the resident’s current physical and cognitive status to improve quality of life for residents and their caregivers.

  • September 2019 – The Annual Barrie to Baycrest (B2B) community fundraising bike ride raised more than $500,000 for therapeutic recreation and fitness programs at Baycrest.

  • October 2019 – The Slaight Family Foundation donated $1 million to Baycrest in support of community-based services for older adults via the Baycrest@Home initiative. Baycrest@Home is a new suite of programs and services poised to meet the healthcare challenges of our rapidly aging population. By combining over 100 years of expertise in care, education, research and innovation in the field of brain health and aging and integrating this knowledge into virtual technologies and services, Baycrest@Home will provide high-quality care at home for physically and cognitively frail older adults and their families and caregivers.

  • November 2019 – Baycrest staff developed and piloted a spin class intervention to help adults diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia. In recent years, calls for programs geared toward Early Onset Alzheimer’s have increased; but the number of programs available has not. This project was supported by the Baycrest-led Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI). It was delivered by Baycrest’s Senior Counselling and Referral Services team. Early onset dementia accounts for about two to eight per cent of all dementia cases in Canada. About 16,000 Canadians under the age of 65 live with this condition.

  • December 2019 – Dr. Morris Freedman, head of neurology at Baycrest and scientist at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute, helped author a groundbreaking study about Alzheimer’s disease among identical triplets. The study suggests that development of Alzheimer’s disease isn’t exclusively linked to genetics.
As we get set for 2020, please consider making a year-end contribution in support of the Baycrest Foundation.

Your generosity and support play a direct role in helping us continue to deliver and develop world-class care, research, innovation and education for older adults in our community… and beyond.

We simply could not do this without you. Thank you! Josh Cooper

Wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy New Year,

Josh Cooper
President & CEO, Baycrest Foundation
Share this
Globe's Story

From around the globe: Family connects with Baycrest patient

Read Story