Canadian Philanthropist invests into solving the mysteries of concussions
Mitchell Goldhar makes $1 million gift to Canadian Sports Concussion Project
TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Mitchell Goldhar, owner of SmartCentres, announced a personal gift of $1 million to The Brain Campaign for the Canadian Sports Concussion Project to fund critical research into solving the unknowns of repetitive concussions that has affected so many players in Canadian sports and impacts countless kids and their families playing sports and living life.
"Until recently, concussions were considered as minor medical events; whether a person fell at home or work, was in a car accident, or hurt playing sports," said Mitchell Goldhar. "Today we know that a concussion is a brain injury. I am investing in this first of a kind concussion research project with the hope that, in the future, parents will feel reassured that when their kids are playing hockey, soccer or other sports, they will be better protected from concussions.
The Canadian Sports Concussion Project is working to answer questions caused by multiple concussions and what is the impact on individuals long term that leads to a brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) that resembles Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease and leads to premature death.
"Although concussions are in the news, we have not brought today's technology or modern medicine to help treat concussions effectively. There are real shortcomings in our knowledge about the acute and chronic phases of single and repetitive concussions." Dr. Charles Tator, Principal Investigator of the Canadian Sports Concussion Project. "It is thanks to individuals like Mitchell Goldhar that we will find the answers."
The Canadian Sports Concussion Project is the world's first program dedicated to a four prong approach to concussions - research, education, diagnosis and treatment. The project is based at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at the University Health Network's Toronto Western Hospital and involves 13 investigators from 5 institutions.
On Saturday, November 10, 2012, the Canadian Sports Concussion Project is holding a Conference to present to the scientific community, media and general public the latest in concussion research. The Conference will be held from 8:30 am to 2 pm in the Auditorium at the Toronto Western Hospital.
About Mitchell Goldhar, SmartCentres
Mitchell Goldhar is the owner of SmartCentres which has developed over 250 shopping centres across Canada during the past 18 years. Mr. Goldhar is a major contributor to SickKids, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab, CAMH, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and many other worthy causes across Canada.
Mr. Goldhar is a major unit holder and a member of the Board of Calloway REIT (TSX:CWT.UN) as well as a significant unit holder of RetroCom REIT (TSX:RMM.UN).
Mr. Goldhar is also a Director Emeritus, SickKids Foundation, a member of the Board of Directors of Indigo Books and Music Inc. and the Canadian Sports Concussion Project Advisory Board. He taught at the University of Toronto for 10 years.
Mr. Goldhar is the proud owner of Paul Henderson's hockey jersey that he wore when he scored the winning goal of the 1972 Summit Series against Russia.
In 2009, Mr. Goldhar purchased the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club.
About The Krembil Neuroscience Centre
The Krembil Neuroscience Centre(KNC) is an internationally renowned clinical and research program in neural-related diseases and disorders including spinal cord injury, Parkinson's Disease, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and a range of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular conditions. Since its founding in 2001, the KNC has developed revolutionary new methods of care leading to the transformation of patients' lives in Toronto and around the world. The KNC is one of 8 Focus of Care programs of the University Health Network based at the Toronto Western Hospital bringing together specialized health-care professionals, equipment, and facilities to enhance patient care, research, and education.
About Brain Campaign
The Brain Campaign is a $200 million fundraising drive of University Health Network's Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation to support the people, equipment and facilities of the Krembil Neuroscience Centre to solve the mysteries of the brain … our most complex and least understood organ in the body. The Brain Campaign: Now is the time • This is the Place • These are the People www.BrainCampaign.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Canadian Sports Concussion Project
The Canadian Sports Concussion Project is the world's first program dedicated to a four prong approach to concussions - research, education, diagnosis and treatment. The project is based at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at the University Health Network's Toronto Western Hospital and involves 13 investigators from 5 institutions.
The Canadian Sports Concussion Project has several important initiatives underway:
- A clinical research study involving former professional football and hockey players who undergo a neurological, neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological assessment as well as brain scans (MRIs) and Magnetoencephalography's (MEG) to help better understand any changes in the brain that may occur due to multiple concussions
- Improving imaging diagnostic techniques used to diagnose the full spectrum of concussions - from acute concussion to CTE - and its severity
- Developing new treatment methods for post concussion syndrome such as cognitive behavioural therapy
- Searching for bio-markers that could include blood tests that may be used to diagnose a concussion as well as identifying any susceptibility to concussion within families
- Encouraging professional athletes to donate their brains upon their death, especially after participating in the clinical study, so that post mortem examinations can be completed
- Translating the findings to sports organizations and medical professions so the best care can be provided and all sports can be enjoyed safely
Research Team
The Canadian Sports Concussion Project is led by many of the nation's leading experts in the area of brain injury and concussion.
Krembil Neuroscience Centre
• Charles Tator, MD, PhD, FRCPS, neurosurgeon & Founder, Think First
• J. David Cassidy, PhD, DrMedSc injury epidemiologist
• Karen D. Davis, PhD neuroscientist
• Lili-Naz Hazrati, MD, PhD, FRCPC neuropathologist
• Carmela Tartaglia, MD, FRCPC neurologist in Alzheimer
• Richard Wennberg, MD, FRCPC neurologist in Epilepsy
• Chanth Seyone, MD, FRCPC psychiatrist
• David Mikulis, MD, FRCPC Neuroradiology
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Anthony Feinstein MD, PhD, FRCPC Neuropsychiatry
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
• Robin Green, PhD, CPsych neuropsychologist and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in traumatic brain injury
University of Toronto
• Michelle Keightley, PhD, C.Psych neuropsychologist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and University of Toronto
• Peter St George-Hyslop, PhD, Director Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Mount Sinai Hospital
• Elephtherios Diamandis, PhD Clinical Biochemistry
Sports
• David Levy, MD, DOHS, DipSM team doctor, Hamilton Tiger Cats
• Leo Ezerins, Executive Director, Canadian Football League Alumni Association, Advisory Board, 1986 Grey Cup Champion, Hamilton Tiger Cats and CFL All-Star
To provide their counsel to the Research Team, the following individuals have volunteered to join the Advisory Board to the Canadian Sports
Concussion Project:
• Elvio DelZotto, Tridel Group of Companies
• Hon. Ken Dryden, Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and former M.P.
• Matt Dunigan, 1987 and 1991 Grey Cup Champion, Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts and Member, Canadian Football Hall of Fame
• Mitchell Goldhar, SmartCentres
• Dr Bernie Gosevitz, Chief Medical Officer, Rogers
• Dr Gerry Halbert, Co-chair Brain Campaign and Member of the Order of Canada
• Steve Ludzik, former player Chicago Blackhawks and former coach Tampa Bay Lightning
• Hon. R. Roy McMurtry, Counsel, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, former Chief Justice and Attorney General of Ontario
• Marc Savard, Member of the 2010 Stanley Cup Boston Bruins
• Peter Shier, Partner in Naked Creative
• Jamie Shulman, CEO Hubdoc & lawyer
• Jim Tomlinson, Partner, McCague Borlack LLP
• Richard Venn, Senior Executive VP, CIBC
SOURCE: SmartCentres
Nadia Daniell-Colarossi, Public Affairs and Communications, Krembil Neuroscience Centre 416-603-5294
Sandra Kaiser, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, SmartCentres, 905-760-6200 ext 7864
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