Letter from the Chair

It has been an honour to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors over the last two years and see our efforts result in the merger of two great foundations and an institutional name change that recognizes the generosity of a remarkable family.

In this unprecedented year, Bloorview Kids Foundation and Bloorview Childrens Hospital Foundation merged in June 2009. With over $60 million of invested assets, the new Foundation is Canada’s largest foundation devoted exclusively to improving the lives of children with disabilities and their families.

In December 2009, the Foundation became the recipient of the largest private donation ever made to a childhood disability organization in Canada. The hospital is honouring this commitment by renaming itself Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Holland Bloorview).

The Holland Family’s gift is the cornerstone for the $80 million No Limits Campaign for Childhood Disability launched in early 2010. The Foundation is most fortunate that George Lewis, Group Head, RBC Wealth Management, has agreed to Chair the Campaign. The Foundation is blessed with an extremely capable and dedicated Board of Directors. Three Board members are retiring this year: Marilyn De Mara, Dr. Ben Alman and John Kustec. We are grateful for the time, guidance and passion they have invested in Holland Bloorview over the years.

I would like to thank Valerie McMurtry, President and CEO of the Foundation, and her exceptional team for their high standard of professionalism and execution.

Finally, on behalf of the entire Holland Bloorview community, I would like to thank you, our donors, for your unwavering support. You have greatly enhanced the lives of children with disabilities and their families.