$35 Million Gift from Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Launches Fundraising Drive for Endowment to Support Medical Research

TORONTO, June 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Mount Sinai Hospital is pleased to announce that Larry and Judy Tanenbaum have made a transformative $35 million gift in support of research at the Hospital. In recognition of the gift, the Hospital's research institute will be re-named the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum is already ranked among the top ten medical research institutes in the world and this gift will propel further growth that will transform patient care in the future.

The gift by Larry and Judy Tanenbaum launches a major fundraising drive with the goal of achieving a $50 million endowment to sustain and grow the leading-edge research at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.

Mount Sinai Hospital Chairman, Jay S. Hennick, made the historic announcement today in Toronto with the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario by the donors' side.

The gift will support the research of internationally recognized investigators working towards the prevention, detection and treatment of health conditions that are aligned with Mount Sinai's flagship clinical programs. These include cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, maternal and infant health, neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders. The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute is home to Canada's largest research team focused on maternal and infant health and ranks #1 in diabetes research among academic hospitals worldwide.

Mr. & Mrs. Tanenbaum have made their gift as a catalyst to inspire additional gifts from the community, creating sustainable funding for scientists at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum. Thanking Mr. & Mrs. Tanenbaum was Brent S. Belzberg, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation Chairman, who also heads the Hospital's major fundraising campaign and will work with other donors to take up the Tanenbaums' challenge and secure the full endowment target envisioned.

The Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., Larry Tanenbaum is one of the country's most influential and respected business, civic and philanthropic leaders and today's announcement is the latest chapter in over four decades of his volunteer and philanthropic leadership at Mount Sinai. As a passionate advocate for medical research, Mr. Tanenbaum has chaired Mount Sinai's research committee of the board of directors and has been a strong voice for research that asks "why?" and allows vision and creativity to fuel innovative medical discoveries that will revolutionize patient care.

Quotes

"Research is about finding answers to questions, where failure is more common than success, and where the cost of success requires time, patience and investment. Judy and I continue to be inspired and rewarded by the researchers at Mount Sinai and the quiet success they are achieving. Their discoveries are transforming the way that we understand disease and this not only positions Canada as a leader in biomedical research, but is leading the way towards how patients will be cared for in the future." Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

"Larry and Judy's gift today is an extraordinary example of what can happen in Ontario when private and public investment work together. It is an inspiring act that will support our research community and change countless lives." The Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario.

"Larry and Judy Tanenbaum exemplify the very best of philanthropic, civic and business leadership in this country. Their invitation to other philanthropists to join them sets them apart as they inspire others to stand up as role models in the community." Jay S. Hennick, Chair of the Board, Mount Sinai Hospital.

"Few leaders have the vision, patience and focus of Larry Tanenbaum. The quiet generosity, and deep commitment to Mount Sinai of Larry and Judy is deeply appreciated by the entire community. We are fortunate to have them as proud Ontarians." Brent S. Belzberg, Chair of the Management Board and Governing Council, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation.

"One of the extraordinary things about the leadership that Larry and Judy have shown in this country is that they have always seen their philanthropy not as a gift, but rather, as an investment.  Today, we are grateful that they have invested in the future of health care. The impact will be a future of more effective, targeted and efficient treatment of disease."  Joseph Mapa, President and CEO, Mount Sinai Hospital.

"I know I speak for all of the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital in thanking Larry and Judy Tanenbaum and their family for this extraordinary commitment to medical research. I also know our researchers will continue to make them, and the people of the wonderful Province of Ontario, proud." Jim Woodgett, Director of Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.

"Our grandfather Samuel Lunenfeld and parents Reuben and Sybil Kunin's vision for the importance of basic science research is shared by Larry and Judy Tanenbaum. Our family is deeply connected with Mount Sinai and the soon-to-be re-named Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. We join in the excitement of this day, and the Mount Sinai community's appreciation of this gift." Michael Benzie, Barbara Hania and Mitchell Kunin.

Quick Facts about the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital

• Ranked in the top ten of biomedical research institutes worldwide in terms of quality of science.
• Research budget for FY2013 was approximately $103.4 million.
• Home to 34 principal investigators, 15 associate scientists, 215 trainees.
• Receives the highest competitive funding awards per investigator in Canada.
• Houses the largest women's and infants' health research team in North America.
• Considered to have the highest impact diabetes research team of any research institute, worldwide.
• Publishes more than 350 papers in leading scientific journals every year ― consistently achieving Canada's highest percentage of papers published in the top one per cent of biomedical research journals.
• Based on strengths in genetics and system biology, launched a high profile initiative to integrate new advances in personalized medicine into clinical practice ― with an initial focus on arthritis and women's and infants' health.
• Over one third of research scientists hold Canada Research Chairs, ranking among the highest proportion of any research institute in the country.
• Home to Canada's first super-resolution microscope and a leading edge robotics facility that can analyze thousands of genes at a time.
• Its Systems Biology team is considered to be in the top five worldwide.

SOURCE: Mount Sinai Hospital

Sally Szuster
Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Mount Sinai Hospital
Telephone: [phone] ext. 8713
Email: [email protected]

Leslie O'Leary
Senior Specialist, Media Relations and Public Affairs
Mount Sinai Hospital
Telephone: [phone] ext. 8306
Email: lo'[email protected]