Look To The Stars News: Sunnybrook Foundation

Sheryl Crow And Sting Perform One Night Live

Mon, 25 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Singers Sheryl Crow and Sting performed last Thursday in Toronto at the One Night Live benefit to support a new health program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Sunnybrook is a world leader in perinatal and gynaecological research and care, particularly in high risk pregnancies, and houses a multiple birth clinic that specializes in caring for women carrying more than one baby at a time. Their state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot centre for the High Risk Mothers & Babies Program is still being expanded in order to accommodate hundreds more babies each year.

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Sting explained why he decided to perform in the fundraiser: “I did it because Sheryl was doing it.” Crow added, “And I did it because Sting was doing it.”

As parents, Crow and Sting both see the value in the Sunnybrook unit and were happy to participate in the concert. Crow said, “My son is the most important person in [my life]. I love it when there’s a charitable component. .. And to be part of something that is doing good work.”

Last year’s performers – Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, and RyanDan – along with a private $8 million donation from Aubrey and Marla Dan – raised $12 million for the centre. The new complex is due to be completed mid-2010.

Look To The Stars Asks RyanDan

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:55:18 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

RyanDan is a Canadian singing duo currently taking the world by storm. Their tight sibling harmonies and operatic pop have gained them millions of fans, and their self-titled album reached number 7 in the UK charts in 2007 and is set to be released in the US this month.

Look To The Stars recently caught up with the duo, which consists of identical twins Ryan and Dan Kowarsky, and asked them about their thoughts on making the world a better place.

Hi guys. You dedicated one of your songs, “Tears of an Angel”, to your niece, Tal Doron. Tell us a little about the Tal Doron Memorial Fund, why it is important to you, and how you are supporting it.

When we were recording our album in London, we were shocked to get a call from our family in Toronto letting us know that our 3 and a 1/2 year old niece, Tal, had a malignant brain tumor. We flew home right away to be with her. She went through a very difficult year of treatments, but unfortunately the tumor was very aggressive, and she passed away last August. We were very close to her. Through this experience, we learned that brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children, and the main cause of cancerous death in children… yet there is still so much that isn’t known about how to prevent or treat them.

The Tal Doron Memorial Fund was set up to help fund research projects at SickKids Hospital, which will help in the understanding and treatment of brain tumors in children. SickKids is one of the leading centers for children’s health care in the world. The fund will also support b.r.a.i.n.child, a volunteer organization dedicated to raising awareness about childhood brain tumors, providing funding for research, and supporting families.

How can people get in touch with the Tal Doron Memorial Fund and make donations?

You can make donations directly through our website, www.ryandan.com. There are also links to more information about this cause.

So far, our fans have been extremely supportive of our cause and we are amazed at how people are willing to help… not only by donating, but volunteering their time, etc.

You recently performed at the One Night Live benefit concert in support of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center’s Women and Babies Program, along with Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban. Tell us a little about the night and what drew you to it.

With all of the difficulties we have gone through with our little niece Tal, we try to do anything we can for children in the world. This was a perfect opportunity for us to help raise money for a great cause.
It was incredible to share the stage with Bryan Adams and the rest of the performers. Bryan is someone we grew up listening to, and to actually sing with him on stage was a dream for us.

Are there any other charities or causes you support that you think need help?

Of course – there are many, many important causes that need attention in the world today. Right now, we are focusing our efforts on paediatric brain tumor research. We are all touched by the particular things we experience in life. As time goes on and our career grows and takes us in different directions, we hope to be able to learn more about other needs, and to raise awareness and funds for other charitable causes.

To what extent does the music you perform reflect your desire to make the world a better place?

Being able to express ourselves through our music is something that we don’t take for granted. We are so blessed to be able to touch so many people all around the world. We get tons of fan mail from people telling us how are music has taken them through a very difficult time in their lives. Hearing that makes it all worth while.

Where do you find your inspiration to help others?

Our inspiration comes from some of our favourite artists – from Mario Lanza through to Boyz II Men. We like to write about things that we go through in our lives, and also things we see our friends and/or family go through.

Why do you think it is important for people to give and help others?

The famous writer Henry James put it perfectly: Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.

Kindness is the only thing that keeps this world going. Without it there’s no point.

What would you say to someone who wants to help a cause but doesn’t know where to start?

Start by getting as much information as you can about what is already being done to help this cause. This should give you some direction about what is needed. The internet is a great tool… both for gathering this type of information and for reaching a lot of people.

Many of our readers are non-profit organizations that wish to attract high profile supporters. How would a charity gain your attention?

We try to support as many charities as we can. Obviously there are so many out there, but I think it’s important for people in the public eye to use their position to bring awareness to so many things going on in the world.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing the world today, environmental or social? How can one person make a difference and help solve that problem?

Ignorance.

We have a responsibility to learn…each person should take it upon him or herself learn more about the problems in the world… As long as you remain ignorant, you will not see the need to help make changes.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, guys. All the best with the album release in the US.

Stars Perform One Night Live For Hospital

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:31:03 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singers Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, and RyanDan played a One Night Live concert last month in Toronto which – along with a private $8 million donation from Aubrey and Marla Dan – raised $12 million for the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a world leading hospital in perinatology and gynecology.

“Aubrey and I… wanted to give back to the hospital to help provide the leading-edge facilities that mothers and their babies deserve,” said Maria Dan. “Our miracle baby [delivered at Sunnybrook] is now a 15-year-old teenager.”

Sarah McLachlan also remembers the 21 hours of hard back labor with her first child and caesarean section with her second, “I understand the need to have a really good facility, in particular for high-risk babies, and just to give mothers and babies every opportunity to get the best foot forward. I think this is a really good unit that they’re building.”

The generous gift and concert proceeds will be put towards the construction of a new state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot home for the High Risk Mothers & Babies Program at Sunnybrook. The current facility is in serious need of space in which to conduct its life-saving work for the 4000 babies born there each year. The new complex, due to be completed mid-2010, will increase that number to 4,500.

“Donors like the Dans, and everyone attending One Night Live, enable us to help families at this most important time — childbirth,” said Dr. Jennifer Blake, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sunnybrook. “We will be there for families with happy, uncomplicated pregnancies, but thanks to this wonderful generosity, we will also be able to give the best start possible to those moms and babies who most need the expert care for which our program is known.”

“The success of this event brings us even closer to our $300 million Campaign for Sunnybrook goal,” said Jennifer Tory, Chair of the Sunnybrook Foundation. “This has exceeded all our expectations.”

Look To The Stars News: Sunnybrook Foundation

Sheryl Crow And Sting Perform One Night Live

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