Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) has just received its largest single donation ever.
Local philanthropist Tom Budd has donated $1 million to KGH, specifically to the Payton & Dillon Budd Brain Health Medical Fund, named after Budd91Ƶs sons, who both died after struggling with mental health issues.
91ƵIt is time to take action,91Ƶ said Budd. 91ƵI am trying to live a life that my sons would be proud of.91Ƶ
The Payton & Dillon Budd Brain Health Medical Fund is dedicated to advancing brain health care in Kelowna.
91ƵMy boys were deeply loved,91Ƶ said Budd. 91ƵThis gift, and every philanthropic commitment I have made or will ever make, is an expression of my enduring love for them, and the compassion I feel for all others who have lost a child or loved one to mental health challenges or neurological brain disorder.91Ƶ
The decision to donate also stems from Budd91Ƶs mother, who has Parkinson91Ƶs disease and dementia.
91ƵIt is an area of health care that is vitally important,91Ƶ said Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation. 91ƵMental illness and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson91Ƶs, ALS, Alzheimer91Ƶs and dementia are devastating to those who are suffering, and their families.91Ƶ
According to Young, the Payton & Dillon Budd Brain Health Medical Fund will provide awards and grants enabling neurologists to engage in projects and studies that aim to provide a greater understanding of how the brain works to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the brain.
Since the KGH Foundation launched its $40 million 91ƵCloser to home than you think91Ƶ campaign, they included a $5 million commitment to establish a Centre of Excellence for Brain Health 91Ƶ a hub for training, research, innovation, and leadership development in the clinical neurosciences at KGH.
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jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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