Baycrest

"You didn't have to buy a gala ticket and dress up. You just threw on a pair of running shoes and went to see the brains with your family and friends, and took some selfies," she notes. The event also had wider-ranging influence. Rafferty adds that although the art installation was situated in Toronto, the participating artists were international. "This cause is global, and everyone, no matter where they live, needs to start thinking and talking about brain health. Sometimes, it feels like we all accept that Alzheimer's disease and dementia are a normal part of aging, but they're not. This isn't something that we can idly stand by and accept. We have to do something about it," she says. "On a recent tour of Baycrest I was utterly blown away by the research being conducted and the level of care the residents receive. There is a long way to go, but with Baycrest's leadership, I know a future where we've beaten Alzheimer's and dementia will become a reality." The immersion into Canada's biggest, most multicultural city, and volunteering her time to support the project here, have had a tremendous impact on Rafferty. She says filming in Toronto and getting to live here six months a year was like "winning the lottery." "I had never been to Toronto before we started shooting 'Suits' in 2011, and as a former New Yorker, everyone told me I would love it. But I don't love it because it is like NYC, I love [Toronto] because it is totally unique. When we do finally move away, I will certainly carry some of that amazing Toronto hometown pride with me. I'd also like to take the generous and friendly spirit of Torontonians, Jays games, the turtles at The Brickworks, the farm-to- table cuisine and the autumnal colors of the Don Valley." A self-described art-lover, Rafferty says being involved with the exceptional caliber of artists who contributed to the project was inspirational. Appreciation for the arts is something she also tries to instill at home. "I spend so much time exposing my kids to art. Looking at art helps me turn off one form of communication and turn on another," Rafferty says. "There are different ways to communicate, and that's the thing about people with Alzheimer's… there are different ways to make that connection, even though it might not be obvious. Art is one of those ways." "This cause is global, and everyone, no matter where they live, needs to start thinking and talking about brain health." BrainMatters FALL 2016 7 To learn more about The Brain Project, visit: brainproject.ca

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