On the acclaimed television drama, “Suits”, Sarah Rafferty plays Donna Paulsen, a whip-smart legal assistant and one of the most mindful and thoughtful characters on the show, which films in Toronto.

The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) describes Rafferty’s Donna as “one of the most formidable minds at the law firm.” The same could be said of her off-screen persona, as it applies to her drive and focus when it comes to advocating for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Which is why, when Sarah was approached by her friend, Erica Godfrey earlier this year to be the Global Ambassador for The Brain Project presented by Telus and help support the work of Baycrest, she jumped at the chance.

“I was honoured to be asked to represent The Brain Project and work closely with Baycrest,” Rafferty says. “Brain Health is a cause near and dear to my heart. I lost my grandmother to Alzheimer’s. It is my sincere hope that our children can grow up in a world without Alzheimer’s and dementia.” Rafferty also works with the Alzheimer Association in the U.S. and spends half her year filming “Suits” in Toronto.

The Brain Project – a citywide art installation in Toronto that featured 100 brain sculptures by 100 artists and was massively popular with tourists and locals this summer – raised awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and put brain health top of mind for everyone. The project originated with Godfrey, who, along with her husband, Noah, and Ben and Jessica Mulroney, are the project’s co-chairs.

Works of art were placed in highly visible locations throughout the city for pedestrians to admire and consider, for a moment or two, what brain health means to them and their loved ones. Plaques describing the sculptures also contained text-to-donate information in order to raise funds for Baycrest Health Sciences, where leading care and research are taking place to support older adults.

As Global Ambassador for the project, Rafferty generously gave of her time, promoting The Brain Project on TV and radio broadcasts, and made personal appearances at events in support of both the project and Baycrest throughout the year – including an appearance in an in-flight commercial shown on Air Canada and seen by countless travelers to and from Toronto.

Rafferty adds that the project was “really special” in that it allowed everyone living in – and visiting – Toronto to have equal access to the event.

“You didn’t have to buy a gala ticket and dress up. You just threw on a pair of running shoes and went to see the brains with your family and friends, and took some selfies,” she notes. The event also had wider-ranging influence. Rafferty adds that although the art installation was situated in Toronto, the participating artists were International.

“This cause is global, and everyone, no matter where they live, needs to start thinking and talking about brain health. Sometimes, it feels like we all accept that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are a normal part of aging, but they’re not. This isn’t something that we can idly stand by and accept. We have to do something about it,” she says. “On a recent tour of Baycrest I was utterly blown away by the research being conducted and the level of care the residents receive. There is a long way to go, but with Baycrest’s leadership, I know a future where we’ve beaten Alzheimer’s and dementia will become a Reality.”

The immersion into Canada’s biggest, most multicultural city, and volunteering her time to support the project here, have had a tremendous impact on Rafferty. She says filming in Toronto and getting to live here six months a year was like “winning the lottery.”

“I had never been to Toronto before we started shooting ‘Suits’ in 2011, and as a former New Yorker, everyone told me I would love it. But I don’t love it because it is like NYC, I love [Toronto] because it is totally unique. When we do finally move away, I will certainly carry some of that amazing Toronto hometown pride with me. I’d also like to take the generous and friendly spirit of Torontonians, Jays games, the turtles at The Brickworks, the farm-totable cuisine and the autumnal colors of the Don Valley.”

A self-described art-lover, Rafferty says being involved with the exceptional caliber of artists who contributed to the project was inspirational. Appreciation for the arts is something she also tries to instill at home.

“I spend so much time exposing my kids to art. Looking at art helps me turn off one form of communication and turn on another,” Rafferty says. “There are different ways to communicate, and that’s the thing about people with Alzheimer’s… there are different ways to make that connection, even though it might not be obvious. Art is one of those ways.”