On May 25, 2016, 1,000 of CAMH’s closest friends and supporters gathered on the lawn of its Queen Street campus to honour the extraordinary people who face mental illness and addiction with perseverance and dignity. It marked a remarkable milestone: the 20th anniversary of a beloved event that celebrates the people who turn to us for care, the Transforming Lives Awards. The night also marked the final year the awards will be held on the grounds, as CAMH prepares to begin construction on its new Complex Care and Recovery and Crisis and Critical Care buildings in 2017.
Set under a spectacular tent, the evening brought the CAMH community together to listen to stories of triumph and inspiration. By sharing their stories, award recipients help break down the stigma that surrounds mental illness, as well as inspire courage and commitment to recovery.
The evening was hosted by co-chairs Dr. David Goldbloom, Senior Medical Advisor at CAMH and co-author of the book How Can I help, and broadcast journalism icon Valerie Pringle. Together, guests and supporters raised more than $1,000,000 in support of the life-saving work of Canada’s leading mental health hospital.
Meet the 2016 Transforming Lives recipients:
- Orlando Da Silva
- Sheldon Kennedy
- Jobim Novak
- Emily Wright
- RBC, recipient of the Harry & Shirley Young Corporate Award