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UHN FOUNDATIONS TORONTO GENERAL & WESTERN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Serving up Knowledge

Spectacular events raise awareness and support for critical research

Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation talented team of transplant clinicians, support
exceeded its financial goal by raising more than teams, researchers and educators at UHN,” says Mr.
$147.9M and granting $126.2M to UHN, with over Ajmera. “To have our family’s name associated with
65% directed to support research. such incredible and dedicated people is an honour.”

The fiscal year ended with the urgent call to The Ajmera family’s gift has also established
support research in the midst of the COVID-19 the Soham & Shaila Ajmera Family Chair in
pandemic. In a few short weeks, more than $11M Molecular Diabetes Research to support the efforts
in donor support was raised for critical COVID- of Dr. Minna Woo, who is the Director of UHN’s
19-related priorities, with the majority of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and
funds supporting over 40 research projects. a Senior Scientist at Toronto General Hospital
Research Institute (TGHRI). Her research is
A highlight of the year was a landmark gift revealing the molecular mechanisms that underlie
to name UHN’s transplant program. Soham the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in type-2
(Sam) and Shaila Ajmera have always been diabetes, with the goal of developing new therapies
strong advocates for health research. When the and preventing diabetes complications.
opportunity arose to lend the family’s name to
the leading transplant program in North America, It was also a successful year for signature events,
they decided to create the Soham & Shaila Ajmera including a record-breaking Grand Cru Culinary
Family Transplant Centre. “Through the course of Wine Festival, Diwali – A Night to Shine, UHN
making this gift, my family had the great pleasure Transplant Evening: Be Amazed!, and a new
to meet with and learn about the tremendously community event: Porridge for Parkinson’s.

GRAND CRU CULINARY WINE FESTIVAL PORRIDGE FOR PARKINSON’S
The 15th annual event (pictured below) raised $33M and Held at Steamwhistle Brewery, the 2019 event raised
featured wines from 80 vintners, gourmet dinners prepared $285,000 to support the Edmond J Safra Program in
by 33 world-class chefs, and participation from 30 UHN Parkinson’s Disease at Krembil Brain Institute.
clinicians and scientists.

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