Day 294: Founder of 365give Launches Early Detection Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital

I have been on my first 365give hiatus for the past few days due to internet challenges but I am back and now have a list of “gives” I look forward to sharing with you this week. I may not have been able to write every day about my “gives” but I will still able to give every day. Today’s give is something I am very proud being a part as it will save lives every day. It’s a new Early Detection Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital that will be able to detect cancer before it ever has a chance to take a life.
Did you know that 1 in 7 men in Canada will get prostate cancer in their lifetime?

Day 294: Give 294

I do have a day job for those of you that think I make my millions writing 365give. I actually don’t make millions at all but I love what I do for a living. I like to think of myself as a modern day Robin Hood – I take from the rich and I give to great charitable organizations. I have a small business in event production that specializes in fundraising. I made a very concious choice may years ago that instead of going after large corporate contracts and making tons of money I would instead use my expertise in my field to raise money for charity. I may not make millions but I have raised millions over the past 15 years to give to worthy organizations that need the funds in many different ways. The causes have varied from feeding the homeless in partnership with Second Harvest, to special facilities for schools, surgical suites at hospitals and the list goes on.

This past week I helped to complete a $500,000 commitment to Sunnybrook Hospital to build an Early Detection Centre.

It’s a Centre like no other making guests feel welcome and comfortable rather than being just another patient in a long line of “sick people” with a number in hand waiting for hours to see a doctor.

The Gelato Cup Golf Early Detection Centre has been built by raising funds through a charity golf tournament called The Gelato Cup. I work with 5 gentleman that are pillars in the Toronto community when it comes to philanthropy. They have set the bar high for others to follow proving that we all can give whether individually or working together. I helped to create the Gelato Cup 13 years ago with the Board of Directors. The first year we raised $19,000 – we thought that was pretty good for our first golf tournament. This year we will have raised over $150,000 and to date over $1,200,000. Not bad for a little golf tournament. Not only have we built this new Early Detection Centre but we built 2 surgical suites and have purchased much needed research and educational tools for the hospital.

Our mission has been simple. We want to help be part of helping find a cure for Prostate Cancer. We support research, treat and now early detection of prostate cancer before it can take more lives.

This could be considered a “big give” because of the amount of money that has been raised but I couldn’t do it alone. I am surrounded but a community of very generous people that know and understand that together, if we all give what we can, a huge difference can be made in the world. Helping to find a cure for cancer is a big goal many organizations are trying to achieve. Whether it’s prostate cancer, breast cancer or any other type of cancer we are all touched in our lives by it. It may be our mothers and fathers, Aunt’s and Uncles, sisters and brothers or best friends.

What I do know for sure is the Gelato Cup Golf Early Detection Centre will save lives today and I am proud to partner with some amazing people that are changing the world one day at a time.

Time Commitment: A career choice 15 years ago to give