Toronto Business & Community Leaders Raise more than $456,000 at Exclusive Dinner for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation

TORONTO, ON – More than 250 of Toronto's business and community leaders gathered for a five course dinner on November 19th, prepared by five of Canada's finest chefs. The event raised over $456,000 for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, which will support the Hospital's groundbreaking research in brain science for kids with disabilities. Since 2007, Holland Bloorview's An Evening of Possibility has raised more than $2.65 million.

Culinary Director Armando Mano, co-owner of Centro Restaurant and Lounge, assembled an impressive lineup of celebrity chefs that included: Chef Claudo Aprile of Colborne Lane & Origin; Chef Symon Abad of Centro Restaurant and Lounge; Chef Frank Parhizgar of Frank's Kitchen; Chef Marc Thuet of Conviction Kitchen TV Show and Petite Thuet; and Chef Bruce Woods of Modus Ristorante.

"The success of this evening was made possible by our generous sponsors, chefs and guests," said Tracey Bailey, President & CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. "Their support is helping our scientists advance innovative research in acquired brain injury, autism, neuro-devices and virtual reality therapies. Their work is shaping the dialogue, and clinical and research landscape, for children with disabilities here and around the world."

Nitin Kawale, President of Cisco Systems Canada Co, chaired the evening, and Breakfast Television's Kevin Frankish emceed. Cisco Systems Canada and Cadillac Fairview were the evening's Presenting Sponsors. The evening also featured a moving keynote address by 10-year-old Alexander Smith, who made a complete recovery at Holland Bloorview, learning to walk and talk again after he suffered several strokes when he contracted bacterial meningitis.

Funds raised at An Evening of Possibility support Holland Bloorview's $80 million No Limits, the Campaign for Childhood Disability. Thanks to the generosity of the event's sponsors, guests and our donors the current campaign total is close to $51.1 million.

About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation raises funds in the community for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Holland Bloorview is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation teaching hospital. The hospital pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life. For more information, please visit: www.hollandbloorviewfoundation.ca

For more information, please contact:
Nicole Watson, Director, Communications and Marketing
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
T: 416-424-3850, E: nwatson@hollandbloorview.ca