Baycrest

4 • BrainMatters • Fall/Winter 2021 It took years of misdiagnoses before ET Canada host Cheryl Hickey finally got the answer to why her father didn't seem to enjoy himself when he was away from home and always seemed anxious about directions. Eventually, Cheryl's dad, John Hickey, was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder, progressive supranuclear palsy. This degenerative condition causes dementia and does not have a known cause or cure. "Anything with the brain, it's a long process of elimination, and it's really difficult for families," says Cheryl. "One more family going through this is one too many. There are a lot of really incredible scientists and doctors coming up with wonderful innovations and treatments, and we need to put the gas on this." Cheryl and her husband, Kevin Foley, teamed up with Baycrest to help support the launch of the organization's new Fear No Age™ brand campaign. This awareness and fundraising initiative is reimagining how Canadians approach aging and brain health while supporting Baycrest's efforts to defeat dementia. Funds raised will unlock breakthrough research into dementia and support Baycrest's innovations in new care approaches and next-generation therapies. When Foley, a director, read the script for Baycrest's Fear No Age™ commercial, he knew he wanted to be part of the project, and offered his professional support, pro bono. "Through this commercial, I want to help us get to the other side of dementia care, whatever step that is," says Foley. "I wanted to treat this story with dignity, but also capture that it's terrifying for families living through it. I wanted it to be a gut punch and be uncomfortable, but also establish that there's hope. To be able to share Baycrest's intention through research, not just domestically, but also globally, is something to get excited about." CHERYL HICKE Y OPENS UP ABOUT HER FATHER'S BAT TLE WITH A RARE BRAIN DISORDER Cheryl Hickey with her father, John Hickey, on her wedding day (photo provided by Cheryl Hickey)

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