TORONTO – Bloorview Kids Rehab and Bloorview Kids Foundation announced that Canadian investment executive and philanthropist Bill Holland and his family have donated the largest gift – $20 million – to a Canadian hospital specializing in the treatment and research of children’s disability.

The Holland family has already donated $6.2 million to Bloorview, bringing their total giving to $26.2 million.

“For more than a century, Bloorview has been pioneering innovative treatments and technologies to create a world of possibility for children with disability,” said Sheila Jarvis, President and CEO of Bloorview Kids Rehab. “Today’s gift will allow us to recruit world-class physicians, therapists and scientists, with an initial focus in the area of children’s brain injury. It will also fund a family leadership program that will see parents and youth work alongside clinicians to improve hospital care, train future health-care professionals, and support families.”

As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation teaching hospital, Bloorview Kids Rehab serves about 7,000 children each year from across Ontario and beyond.

“Bloorview is an amazing, unique institution…and one that clearly works,” said Bill Holland, CEO of CI Financial Corporation. “The health care professionals and volunteers are deeply passionate and committed to giving children with disabilities the treatments and supports they need to participate fully in life. When you make a contribution to a place like Bloorview and you get a letter from the mother of a child who was helped in a significant way, it’s the greatest feeling,” Holland says.

In recognition of the Holland family, the hospital and the foundation will be renamed as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.

The Holland gift officially launches Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation’s No Limits Campaign for childhood disability with a goal of raising $80 million for the hospital. Investments will be made to recruit international research and clinical talent in the specialized area of childhood disability; train the next generation of health leaders; improve critical family resources and supports; and commercialize proven breakthrough treatments. Visit www.hollandbloorviewfoundation.ca for more information on the
No Limits Campaign.

“Today’s gift is about shining a spotlight on the important cause of childhood disability and encouraging others to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children in need of rehabilitation services,” said Valerie McMurtry, President and CEO of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. “On behalf of the Bloorview family, I would like to thank the Holland family for their tremendous support and partnership.”