Toronto's Chinese Canadian community has contributed $400,000 to help fund a new building for brain sciences at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The volunteer leaders of the initiative congratulated the donors for their generous support on Monday in Toronto.

The funds were raised at Night of Awesome, a private event held in North York on Sept 24. Chief of Sunnybrook's Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program Dr Anthony Levitt, Sunnybrook sleep neurology specialist Dr Andrew Lim and Toronto Mayor John Tory were among those attending the event, which was also part of a corporate social responsibility project called Show Me Your Kindness.

"Sunnybrook's Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre will foster collaboration and innovative research across the three most common brain disorders — stroke, dementia and mental illness," said Levitt.

"Together, stroke, dementia and mental illness are expected to surpass heart disease and cancer as the leading cause of death and disability in Canada by the year 2020.

This generous gift will have a significant impact on our ability to discover new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat these devastating diseases."

Night of Awesome was the inspiration of volunteer Judy Lee and William Cheng, president of the Premier Candle Corporation.

"We all know someone who is struggling with Alzheimer's disease, depression or the effects of a stroke," said Cheng. "This was an opportunity for those who care deeply for our community to change countless lives."

"I am grateful to the kind-hearted community leaders and entrepreneurs who came together to help Sunnybrook save lives," Lee said.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said that their donations are an investment in one of Toronto's most "beloved" health institutions and source of internationally-recognized health research and innovation.

"Sunnybrook's doctors are undoubtedly dedicated and passionate in not only finding cures for neurological illnesses, but helping those who face these challenges day to day," Tory said.

"The contributions made will go a long way to building a new state-of-the-art centre for brain research and care."

"An ambitious vision like the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre only becomes a reality when extraordinary people step forward and embrace our plans," says Dr Jon Dellandrea, president and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation.

"Thank you to each and every one of our Night of Awesome benefactors for helping Sunnybrook change and save lives."