TORONTO – The Rogers family has donated $130 million, the largest monetary gift ever made to a Canadian health care initiative, to establish the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research.
The donation will be matched with $139 million in additional funds combined from The Hospital for Sick Children, University Health Network and the University of Toronto for a total investment of $269 million.
With facilities in the three participating institutions, the Centre will be the first in the world to bring together research, education and innovation in individualized genomic medicine, stem cell research, bioengineering, and cardiovascular treatment and management under one umbrella with a single focus: improving heart health across the entire life span, from children to adults. The Centre will also establish an innovation fund to drive discovery and development of next-generation therapies for heart failure, and an education fund to attract the best and brightest students and postgraduates to ensure a deep pool of talent in Canada for cardiac care and research.
"We're thrilled to be able to bring the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research to life," said Loretta Rogers, wife of the late Ted Rogers, in the announcement. "It's a testament to Ted's drive for innovation and his commitment to leaving the world a better place. We know Ted would have been proud of this bold initiative that will improve heart health for all."
