Baycrest

$16 million raised for Alzheimer's research and care 1,500+ "The Scotiabank Pro-Am combines our love of hockey with the fight against Alzheimer's disease and related disorders – a health concern affecting half a million Canadians and their families, and as our population ages, many more will be affected." amateur players raised money for Baycrest continued from page 27 Mark Napier, executive director of the NHL Alumni Association, knows personally from the experiences of his father-in-law the challenge of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and how expert diagnosis, followup and care at Baycrest can make a huge difference. "We play the tournament to raise money for Alzheimer's research and, hopefully, we can do our small part to help eradicate this awful disease. Every year we get a little bit closer and raise more and more money."  Newly minted relationships with the Alzheimer Society of Canada and regional Alzheimer societies are helping expand the event's reach as well. The Pro-Am launched successfully in both Edmonton and Calgary in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. Proceeds benefit the 28 Gordie and Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's, which supports research funded by the local Alzheimer society, and research and care at Baycrest. Expansion to other Canadian cities will build on that model. The Power of Players In 2011 alone, more than 1,500 amateur players – 15 teams in Calgary, 26 in Edmonton and 48 in Toronto – raised money for Baycrest. Many players are spreading the message through their fundraising networks. "Because it's hockey, this event has amazing potential to expose Baycrest to people who are outside its traditional scope of influence," says Jay Waks, co-chair of the Toronto Scotiabank Pro-Am. "People play, raise money and come back year after year because of the energy of the event, the universal love of hockey and the 2010/11 Baycrest and Baycrest Foundation Annual Report chance to support Baycrest doing something that is so unique." That was certainly Josh Mosko's experience. A lifelong hockey fan and avid player, he participated for the first time in 2010. It was such an amazing and meaningful experience that he captained a team in May 2011. But it's not only the hockey that draws him to the event; it's the chance to raise money for research into Alzheimer's, a disease that has affected a number of his family members, both past and present. "As one of the top 20 fundraisers last year, I got to play in the all star game and fulfil a childhood dream of playing with my brother alongside some of our hockey heroes, including Wendel Clark and Gary Roberts," says Mosko. "My goal for this year was to raise even more money for Alzheimer's research and create more lifelong memories."

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