Dear Colleagues,
As you probably noted in news coverage on the past weekend, more than 100 UHN staff participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a remarkable new example of "participation philanthropy". Participants (which included Catherine Zahn, Michael Baker, Chris Paige, Paul Alofs and myself from our Senior Management Team as well staff from across the entirety of UHN) cycled 215 km to Niagara Falls and raised $14 M for cancer research. The logistics of moving, housing and feeding 2850 riders as they cycle across the Niagara Escarpment are not straight forward but the PMH Foundation pulled this off without a hitch. The planning, the preparation, the road control, the good feeling- they were all spectacular. Everyone who rode had a terrific feeling of wellness, camaraderie and accomplishment.
Starting a new major initiative like the Ride requires meticulous attention to detail and Paul Alofs and Christine Lasky have been paying attention to ride details for more than 12 months. Their leadership gained a whole lot of new friends for PMH and UHN on the weekend- and as well they earned more than $14 million for cancer research.
My congratulations to all PMH Foundation staff for this remarkable new philanthropic event. I have a feeling that we will all be riding our bikes more in the future.
Bob
