$10 million gift to support leading-edge cancer care at Mount Sinai Hospital

Isadore and Rosalie Sharp name The Christopher Sharp Cancer Centre

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Mount Sinai Hospital is pleased to announce that Isadore and Rosalie Sharp have made an extraordinary $10 million gift that will further strengthen the hospital's position as one of the largest (non-regional) specialized cancer programs in Ontario. The newly named Christopher Sharp Cancer Centre will transform the experience for the close to 2,000 patients a year who come to Mount Sinai for cancer surgery and for those who receive medical oncology treatment including 4,000 chemotherapy patients.  The establishment of the centre is the latest infusion of support for The Campaign to Renew Sinai, the largest campaign in the hospital's history that will see the revitalization of its facilities and growth of its internationally recognized clinical and research programs.

This gift follows a $5 million donation made in 2007 in honour of Mr. & Mrs. Sharp's late son, Christopher, who died of cancer in 1978, recognized through the naming of the Christopher Sharp Centre for Surgical Oncology. With this new gift announcement of $10 million, the total $15 million investment will be focused on the new Christopher Sharp Cancer Centre which will build on the specialized oncology programs for which Mount Sinai Hospital is internationally recognized: breast, urologic (bladder and prostate), sarcoma, head and neck and GI/colorectal/abdominal cancers.  The outstanding clinical care at The Christopher Sharp Cancer Centre will be integrated with the cancer research programs at Mount Sinai's Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute.

Isadore Sharp, O.C., founder, chairman and former CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, is a recognized business and philanthropic leader in Canada. He and his wife are long time donors to Mount Sinai Hospital, having made their first gift over 40 years ago.  In 2007, they named one of the hospital's centres of excellence - The Christopher Sharp Centre for Surgical Oncology.  The couple has previously named a wing in the hospital and Rosalie Sharp was the interior designer of Mount Sinai's Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre. Mr. Sharp is an honorary officer of the hospital's board of directors.

Quotes:

"While our motivation for supporting the extraordinary cancer care at Mount Sinai is deeply personal, as a way to honour our late son's memory, it is also rooted in a profound respect for the inspiring clinical care delivered to patients every day at Mount Sinai," Isadore & Rosalie Sharp.

"As both business and philanthropic leaders, Isadore & Rosalie Sharp have exemplified the pursuit of excellence and service.   On behalf of the many patients and families who are battling their cancer through treatment at Mount Sinai, and the clinicians who strive every day to ensure excellent outcomes, we extend our deepest thanks," Joseph Mapa, President and CEO, Mount Sinai Hospital.

"Issy and Rosalie have always had the vision to imagine a future with the most innovative cancer treatments available to all patients. Redefining patient care is what our Campaign to Renew Sinai is all about and today, thanks to this generous gift, we are one step closer to that goal,"  Brent S. Belzberg, Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation Management Board & Governing Council Chairman, who also co-chairs the Hospital's Renew Sinai campaign.

For more information about Mount Sinai's specialized cancer programs click here

SOURCE: Mount Sinai Hospital

For more information or to coordinate interviews please contact:

Sally Szuster
Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Mount Sinai Hospital
Telephone: [phone] ext. 8713
Email: [email protected]

Riva Finkelstein
Senior Specialist, Media Relations and Public Affairs
Mount Sinai Hospital
Telephone: [phone] ext. 8306
Email: [email protected]