Dilawri Group's $7 million donation to SickKids helps drive the future of children's health

Canada's largest automotive group supports SickKids Centre for Research and Learning and Patient Amenities Fund

TORONTO, May 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The Dilawri Group of Companies, owned and operated by brothers Kap Dilawri, Ajay Dilawri and Tony Dilawri, today announced a $7 million donation to the SickKids Centre for Research and Learning and the Patient Amenities Fund through The Dilawri Foundation.

A $5 million donation will be recognized with the naming of the Patients, Populations & Policy neighbourhood at the Centre to be opened in summer 2013, where researchers will seek to improve the health and quality of life for children and their families. In addition, the Dilawri Foundation has pledged a $2 million commitment to the newly established Dilawri Foundation Patient Amenities Fund. The Fund is a source of financial assistance for families with limited resources whose children are being cared for at SickKids.

Proceeds from a new annual gala hosted by the Dilawri Group on Saturday, September 29 at Toronto's historic Fort York will support the $2 million commitment for patient amenities. Further details about the gala will be announced in June. This generous donation marks the 10^th anniversary of The Dilawri Foundation's commitment to philanthropy.

"The Dilawri Foundation's generosity will have an impact on children and communities on a local, national and global scale," said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. "This funding will help drive discoveries to propel child health into the next generation of care and provide support for families in need."

Scientists within the Patients, Populations & Policy research neighbourhood are developing evidence-based methods to ensure research findings lead to more effective and efficient delivery of health care. This donation will allow SickKids to break new ground in the treatment of conditions like asthma, obesity, eating disorders and Type 1 diabetes.

Once completed in 2013, the SickKids Centre for Research and Learning will bring together more than 2,000 SickKids scientists, trainees and child health research staff. The state-of-the-art laboratory and learning facility will encourage interdisciplinary research and collaboration among scientific and clinical perspectives to accelerate discoveries, foster new knowledge and improve child health. The $400 million, 21-storey, 750,000 square foot world-class facility will be home to six neighbourhoods of science that are connected through internal staircases and shared interaction spaces to encourage cross-collaboration among the scientific community.

"We believe children's health plays an essential role in the community, and that an investment in health care is an investment in the future," said Kap Dilawri, President, Dilawri Group of Companies. "We are proud supporters of SickKids and couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of The Dilawri Foundation than by partnering with a world leader in children's health."

SickKids is pleased to announce this donation during Healthy & Happy, a new month-long campaign to raise awareness of current child health issues. Launched on May 1, the campaign encourages the community to "Do the Happy" for SickKids and support children's health. The campaign is built on one premise - every child deserves to be healthy and happy.

The Dilawri Foundation was established in 2002 to oversee the family's philanthropic activities.

For more than two decades, the Dilawri Family has shown a deep commitment in supporting communities across Canada. The family's generosity has touched thousands of lives and continues to leave a lasting impression in the communities they serve.

Dilawri Group of Companies
The Dilawri Group of Companies has now expanded to over 40 dealerships representing 28 brands across Canada. As Canada's largest automotive group, the company recognizes the need to be a leader in the automotive industry and also a leader in the communities it serves. Through meaningful and targeted philanthropy, the Dilawri Group is committed to giving back to the communities through The Dilawri Foundation.

SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids -- one of the world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $61.9 million in children's health, a direct result of community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

Janessa Bishop
SickKids Foundation
416-813-2944
[email protected]m

Shelley Thomas
Narrative PR
416-357-7829
[email protected]