Media Advisory - Chris Rock to Hit Toronto's Funny Bone at Toronto East General Hospital's Comedy Gala, Laughter Is the Best Medicine II, on Saturday, September 27

Will Arnett returns to emcee the event and available for red carpet interviews

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - One of North America's leading community teaching hospitals — Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) — is once again writing the city its funniest prescription with its second comedy gala, Laughter Is The Best Medicine II, on September 27, 2014 at the Allstream Centre (Automotive Building, Exhibition Place.)

More than 1,400 gala guests anticipate being in stitches at the sold-out event, with a rare stand-up comedy appearance by headliner, multi-Emmy-award and Grammy award-winner, Chris Rock.

Toronto's own comedy celebrity, Will Arnett (Arrested Development; The Millers) returns as the Master of Ceremonies, following his side-splitting performance hosting the inaugural Laughter is the Best Medicine in April 2012, with headliner, Jerry Seinfeld. Arnett will be available for red carpet interviews.

Top comedy talent and TV star, Mario Joyner, will be the opening act. A regular on Everybody Hates Chris, Joyner has frequently opened for Rock as well as other iconic comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno. Joyner will also be available for interviews on the red carpet.

Proceeds from the evening will help close off a $60-million private sector campaign, in support of TEGH's $360-million-dollar capital redevelopment project. The focal point of the redevelopment is the establishment of the Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre — a landmark healthcare facility, which will significantly enhance access to critical inpatient and outpatient services for families in east Toronto and beyond.

TEGH welcomes back BMO Financial Group as the Presenting Sponsor of the comedy gala.

Media, including photographers, are invited to request accreditation for the Red Carpet, which will begin at 5:30p.m. and run until approximately 6 p.m. on September 27, 2014. Will Arnett will be walking the red carpet and doing short interviews. Mario Joyner will also be available.

Photographers are invited to request accreditation for photo opportunities with Chris Rock, which will take place upon his arrival at the venue. (Note: the precise time, expected to be later in the evening between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., will be confirmed on event day.)

For accreditation, please contact: BEST PR BOUTIQUE,
Candice Best, 416.525.1332 or [email protected]

EVENT DETAILS

What:	Laughter Is the Best Medicine II: the Comedy Gala, in support of the Toronto East General Hospital, with critically-acclaimed, multi-Emmy-award winner and Grammy Award Winner, Chris Rock, plus Will Arnett as Master of Ceremonies, and opening act, Mario Joyner.
Who:	Comedic celebrities including Chris Rock, Will Arnett and Mario Joyner, along with other celebrities and dignitaries. Notable guests include: Gala Benefactors, Gareth and Monique Seltzer; The Thomson family; The Jackman family; Toronto Blue Jays, Adam Lind and George Kottaras; Brendan Shanahan; and Pinball Clemons, TEGH Foundation Board Chair Michael Burns and Gala Chair Michael Geddes will also be in attendance, along with Eric Tripp, President, BMO Capital Markets and Chair, Toronto East General Hospital Board.
When:	Saturday, September 27, 2014
Where:	Allstream Centre, 105 Princes Blvd, Toronto (Automotive Building, Exhibition Place)
Why:	To raise funds for the Toronto East General Hospital's $360-million-dollar capital redevelopment project, including the establishment of the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre.

Note: A video with commentary from Chris Rock will be available post-event, to be distributed via Canada Newswire on Sunday, September 28, 2014.

"We are thrilled to be able to draw such top-caliber talent again this year. Our guests are in for one of the most fun nights out at one of the city's most sensational fundraising events, not to mention a pinnacle one for the hospital," said Gala Chair, Michael Geddes. "It promises to be an evening people will be talking about for months to come. They're still talking about our first comedy gala!"

EVENT SCHEDULE:

5:30 p.m	Cocktail reception / Red Carpet begins (Red carpet with Arnett and Joyner runs until 6 p.m.)
7:00 p.m	Dinner begins with performances to start shortly thereafter (Media will require accreditation for camera access, available at the start of the performances, to capture b-roll footage)
10:15 p.m.	Headline performance This performance may not be recorded; however there will be a short opportunity for accredited photographers to capture shots at the introduction. (Time for Chris Rock photo opportunity to be announced early on event day.)

EVENT SPONSORS:

Presenting Sponsor BMO Financial Group, as well as a number of generous Diamond, Gold and Gift-in-Kind sponsors

Visit http://foundation.tegh.on.ca/gala/index.php for more details about the event.
Find Toronto East General Hospital on Facebook. Follow @EastGeneral

About Toronto East General Hospital:
Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) is setting a new standard in patient-centred care. This award-winning, community teaching hospital serves the socially and economically diverse neighbourhoods of east Toronto. The hospital provides superb clinical treatment and is gaining acclaim in areas such the Centre of Excellence in Thoracic Surgery, the Robotic Technology and Teaching Program, and Child & Adolescent Mental Health.

About the TEGH Capital Redevelopment Campaign:
Toronto East General Hospital is in the midst of an ambitious Redevelopment Project. The focal point of this expansion is the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre, which will usher in a new era of leading-edge health care. Proceeds from Laughter is the Best Medicine II will support this new landmark health care facility, which will increase access to health care services for the more than half a million people throughout the GTA who rely on Toronto East General Hospital for health care excellence.

Through the commitment, generosity and vision of volunteers and donors — including 100 percent participation in the campaign by Toronto East General physicians — the TEGH Foundation is currently concluding a $60-million private-sector campaign to support this historic redevelopment.

SOURCE: Toronto East General Hospital

Candice Best, Best PR Boutique, 416.525.1332, [email protected]; Justin Van Dette, Manager, Corporate & Community Relations, Toronto East General Hospital Foundation, 416.659.3870 | [email protected]; Find Toronto East General Hospital on Facebook, Follow @EastGeneral on Twitter