Baycrest

Being the Brain Project Global Ambassador "Suits" her just fine O n the acclaimed television drama, "Suits", Sarah Rafferty plays Donna Paulsen, a whip-smart legal assistant and one of the most mindful and thoughtful characters on the show, which films in Toronto. The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) describes Rafferty's Donna as "one of the most formidable minds at the law firm." The same could be said of her off- screen persona, as it applies to her drive and focus when it comes to advocating for a cure for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Which is why, when Sarah was approached by her friend, Erica Godfrey earlier this year to be the Global Ambassador for The Brain Project presented by Telus and help support the work of Baycrest, she jumped at the chance. "I was honoured to be asked to represent The Brain Project and work closely with Baycrest," Rafferty says. "Brain Health is a cause near and dear to my heart. I lost my grandmother to Alzheimer's. It is my sincere hope that our children can grow up in a world without Alzheimer's and dementia." Rafferty also works with the Alzheimer Association in the U.S. and spends half her year filming "Suits" in Toronto. The Brain Project – a citywide art installation in Toronto that featured 100 brain sculptures by 100 artists and was massively popular with tourists and locals this summer - raised awareness about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and put brain health top of mind for everyone. The project originated with Godfrey, who, along with her husband, Noah, and Ben and Jessica Mulroney, are the project's co-chairs. Works of art were placed in highly visible locations throughout the city for pedestrians to admire and consider, for a moment or two, what brain health means to them and their loved ones. Plaques describing the sculptures also contained text-to-donate information in order to raise funds for Baycrest Health Sciences, where leading care and research are taking place to support older adults. As Global Ambassador for the project, Rafferty generously gave of her time, promoting The Brain Project on TV and radio broadcasts, and made personal appearances at events in support of both the project and Baycrest throughout the year – including an appearance in an in-flight commercial shown on Air Canada and seen by countless travelers to and from Toronto. Rafferty adds that the project was "really special" in that it allowed everyone living in - and visiting – Toronto to have equal access to the event. 6 BrainMatters FALL 2016

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