MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - Golf Greats Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo Set to Tee Up Conversation on February 26 to Raise Funds for Toronto East General Hospital

Exclusive 'fireside chat' with two of history's most decorated golfers to celebrate Champions of million-dollar W. Brett Wilson Challenge for robotic prostate cancer program

TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo are set to hit the course of philanthropy in Toronto on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, to support Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH). Nicklaus and Faldo will engage in a "fireside chat," joining TEGH supporter and prostate cancer "graduate" and champion, W. Brett Wilson, as well as a large group of friends of the hospital, as part of an exclusive evening to celebrate another milestone for TEGH.

The gathering at a private home will be a rare opportunity for TEGH guests to get up close and personal with these legendary American and British golfers, and enjoy what is expected to be an informative and entertaining conversation. Although both golfers are well known for their philanthropy, this event will mark the first time either Jack Nicklaus or Nick Faldo have helped to raise funds for a Toronto hospital.

"TEGH quite literally saved my life," attested W. Brett Wilson, who shares the passion Nicklaus and Faldo have for philanthropy, entrepreneurial life and, of course, golf. The prostate cancer "graduate" enthusiastically lauds the hospital, and will share details of his TEGH experience with attendees at the private cocktail reception later this month.

"I was thrilled to be able to spearhead a million-dollar challenge for the innovative robotic prostate cancer program, providing the world's leading minimally-invasive surgical procedures at one of Ontario's leading community hospitals," Wilson added. "I can't tell you how pleased I am that Jack and Nick will be headlining our celebratory evening."

Nicklaus is widely regarded as the most accomplished professional golfer of all time, with a career of numerous record-setting highlights, including a record 18 major championship titles among his 120 professional victories worldwide. Faldo, arguably the most successful British golfer in the modern era and who was knighted in 2009 by Queen Elizabeth II to earn the title Sir Nick Faldo, credits watching Nicklaus at the Masters in the early 1970s as his inspiration to become a professional golfer. 

"I was just absolutely mesmerised when I saw the Masters that year, particularly by Jack Nicklaus striding across Augusta's impossibly green fairways," Faldo said. "I marched downstairs and announced to my Mum that I was going to take up golf."

Beyond creating magic on the fairways and launching golf careers, Jack Nicklaus is also well known for his global business success and leadership in philanthropic work. "For years, I have had the privilege of being able to support a number of health-focused charities," Nicklaus said. "It gives me great pleasure to be able to contribute to and support Toronto East General Hospital, and to help meet its fundraising targets that will allow them to continue outstanding healthcare work."

Approximately 100 of the TEGH Foundation's supporters, the visionary champions who have buoyed the $1 million W. Brett Wilson Challenge for the hospital's robotic prostate cancer program, are expected to attend the February reception—one of an ongoing series of unique fundraising initiatives for the hospital.

"This event, with legendary golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Sir Nick Faldo, in addition to W. Brett Wilson, one of Canada's top entrepreneurs, is a testament to the fact that TEGH is setting new standards—not only in healthcare, but also in offering patrons rare access to renowned philanthropists and other celebrities through the Foundation," said Michael Burns, Chairman of the Board of the TEGH Foundation. "We are committed to continuing to define excellence, and set the standard for our community and those who support us."

About Jack Nicklaus:

Jack Nicklaus, a.k.a. "The Golden Bear," is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time. He began his professional career in 1962 and his record of 18 wins in major championships (three British Open Championships, four U.S. Opens, five PGA Championships, and six Masters) is unmatched. In 1986, at the age of 46, he became the oldest player ever to win The Masters. Nicklaus has been named "Golfer of the Century" or "Golfer of the Millennium" by almost every major golf publication in the world. He was also named Individual Male Athlete of the Century by Sports Illustrated, and one of the 10 Greatest Athletes of the Century by ESPN. In 2005, he was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honour bestowed on a U.S. civilian. No name is more synonymous with greatness in the sport of golf than his and no single person has changed the face of the sport more than Jack Nicklaus—the player, the course designer, the good-will ambassador and the philanthropist.

About Sir Nick Faldo:

Sir Nick Faldo is one of the most accomplished professional golfers in the sport's modern era. A six-time major winner, Faldo has three times won the Open Championship, the Masters, and served as the European Ryder Cup captain in 2008. He is the all-time leading points scorer in Ryder Cup history and was ranked No. 1 on the Official World Golf Ranking for a total of 98 weeks. Turning his talents to broadcast golf analysis, he has since become a television pundit for PGA Tour events and majors. In 2006, Faldo became the lead golf analyst for CBS Sports and in 2012, joined the BBC Sport on-air team.

About the W. Brett Wilson Challenge:

In November, well-known "Dragon," celebrated entrepreneur and prostate cancer "graduate" and supporter, W. Brett Wilson, generously stepped forward to launch the W. Brett Wilson Challenge with a $100,000 donation and a "Make-the-Match" initiative, with a goal of $1 million, to support the innovative robotic prostate cancer program at Toronto East General Hospital. To date, $400,000 has been raised towards the goal, with the balance expected by the February 26th event with Jack Nicklaus, where champions of the Challenge will be honoured.

About Toronto East General Hospital:

Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH), one of Ontario's foremost community-teaching hospitals, provides comprehensive, award-winning healthcare to the diverse neighbourhoods of East Toronto—and well beyond. TEGH is renowned for its expertise in areas such as urology, respirology and thoracic surgery; is a regional site for child and adolescent mental health services; is identified as a model of fiscal responsibility; and has been recognized on the provincial and national stages for patient safety, quality, and innovation.

About the TEGH Capital Redevelopment Campaign:

Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) has embarked on a transformational $211 million renewal and expansion project to replace much of the 80-year-old facility. The focal point of this vital project will be the new Ken and Marilyn Thomson Patient Care Centre. This landmark healthcare facility will set a new standard in care. It will significantly enhance critical inpatient and outpatient services; accommodate leading-edge technology; and offer vastly improved infection control, patient comfort and privacy, and accessibility. The TEGH Foundation is currently in the final phase of a $60 million private sector campaign to raise funds for this vital redevelopment. Through the commitment, generosity and vision of volunteers and donors, more than $50 million has been raised to-date.

About the TEGH Robotic Surgical Program:

Toronto East General Hospital's Department of Urology, in partnership with Sunnybrook's Odette Cancer Centre, recently acquired the revolutionary da Vinci Surgical System, a.k.a. "the Robot," and is poised to develop a definitive leadership in men's health. The Robot can dramatically change the experience and success rate of prostate cancer surgery. Surgeons sit at a console that controls four surgical ports, which perform the delicate work with unmatched precision. This minimally invasive, robotic surgery means less pain and trauma to the body, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stay and the potential for a complete recovery from prostate cancer and a return to normal life, without long-term side effects. In affiliation with the University of Toronto, TEGH is establishing a Regional Teaching Centre in Robotic Surgery to provide an incomparable training ground for tomorrow's urological surgeons.

SOURCE: Toronto East General Hospital

Justin Van Dette
Toronto East General Hospital Foundation
416.659.3870
[email protected]

Candice Best
Founder & Creative PR Architect
@candicebest | 416.525.1332