The Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation celebrated the Festival of Lights on October 5 by playing host to Diwali – A Night to Shine. Presented by Scotiabank, the event was held in support of research at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (TGHRI), University Health Network (UHN).
Held at the Beanfield Centre, more than $1.8 million was raised for life-saving research initiatives. Diwali – A Night To Shine is considered to be the most notable Diwali celebration in the city. The funds raised support the ongoing research at TGHRI. The event has raised a grand total of $8.9 million (gross) for programs at UHN.
Diwali is the South Asian Festival of Lights that celebrates hope and prosperity. This year’s theme was “India: The Land of Inspiration.” Guests had the opportunity to experience the influence of India’s diverse culture. Different performances and a taste of the cuisine were a part of the event. They also had the chance to learn about inspirational elements of Indian culture.
Additional event sponsors included Rochelle Reichert, Henry Wolfond and Cheryl and Rob McEwen. Air Canada was the official airline sponsor, with Asian Television Network as the exclusive television sponsor.
TGHRI is a world-renowned leader in biomedical research and innovation. With close to 400 researchers, their work has led to advances in organ transplantation and novel therapies in autoimmune disorders. TGHRI scientists and clinicians work side-by-side to make an impact all around the globe.
Photos provided by UHN
