Raising half a billion dollars doesn’t happen overnight, and No One Left Behind is launching with generous gifts and pledges from donors who share CAMH’s belief that mental health is health. To date, more than $400 million in donations and pledges have been raised since the beginning of the campaign’s quiet phase in 2018. These gifts include the largest corporate donation in CAMH’s history, a $50-million gift from Orlando Corporation, which will directly support the Research & Discovery Centre. As part of this gift, Orlando Corporation will match every donation directed towards the Research & Discovery Centre up to $20 million, so every dollar given will accelerate progress towards our goal.

Since its establishment in 1998, CAMH has undertaken a historic redevelopment of its spaces and places, a journey that has been powered by philanthropy. As demand for mental health care surges, there is an urgent need to find new ways of diagnosing mental illness sooner, providing personalized treatments, and preventing mental illness altogether.

CAMH Research & Discovery Centre

Every day, CAMH researchers advance breakthroughs that help people living with mental illness, despite working in buildings built in the 1960s. To respond to the growing mental health crisis, with the support of the donor community, CAMH will complete its decades-long redevelopment and build the Research & Discovery Centre.

With 385,000 square feet of collaborative space, the Research & Discovery Centre will unite CAMH’s research programs under one roof, supercharge collaboration, revolutionize our understanding of the brain, spur and accelerate new discoveries that transform the future of mental health, and most importantly, inspire hope for those living with mental illness.

As a magnet for recruiting and retaining the world’s top talent, the Research & Discovery Centre will be home to more than 2/3 of CAMH’s more than 1,400 research staff, and could increase the number of research scientists, staff, students and trainees by 43%. Patients and families will have safe, dignified spaces to participate in research studies, and proximity to patient care areas will enable new discoveries to be seamlessly and rapidly put into practice to improve people’s lives.

Designed by KPMB Architects and TreanorHL, the Research & Discovery Centre will have a focus on sustainability with LEED Platinum certification and a wood timber curvilinear structure to reduce carbon footprint. More than a building, it will serve as a focal point for the community and a beacon of hope for people living with mental illness around the world.

The No One Left Behind Campaign Cabinet comprises 24 dedicated volunteers and mental health champions who are leading the charge toward CAMH’s ambitious fundraising goal. The Campaign Cabinet is led by co-Chairs, Cameron Fowler and Sandi Treliving, who are also members of the CAMH Foundation Board of Directors. No One Left Behind was developed in partnership with Camp Jefferson, CAMH’s agency of record.

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From May 30 to June 3, 2022, Canadians from coast-to-coast will wake up with the sun, taking time each morning to do something that benefits their mental health. Participants are encouraged to snap a photo of their Sunrise Moment and share it to social media with the hashtag #CAMHSunriseChallenge. From daily affirmation text messages to virtual yoga, participants will have a host of engaging activities and experiences to choose from to help them take care of their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. All of these “Build Your Morning” tools will be available on-demand at sunrisechallenge.ca.

“The inaugural Sunrise Challenge rallied over 4,000 participants and raised more than $2 million in support of CAMH. We are so grateful to everyone who made year one such a resounding success,” said Deborah Gillis, President & CEO, CAMH Foundation. “We hope to see even more Canadians rise together for mental health this year and show everyone living with mental illness they are not alone.”

In the lead-up to the event, participants are invited to attend the virtual We Rise Together Rally on May 11 for a chance to win giveaways and see an exclusive preview of the Sunrise Challenge experience.

“The Sunrise Challenge is a unique way to inspire Canadians to take charge of their mental well-being. Creating mentally healthy communities starts with all of us,” said Dave Jones, President, Sun Life Health. “Sun Life is proud to support the Challenge as the presenting sponsor for a second year. Together with CAMH, we’re making mental health a priority and helping Canadians live healthier lives.”

In Canada, 11 people die by suicide daily, and the world loses 800,000 people to suicide yearly—tragic statistics CAMH is determined to change. As a world leader in mental health research, CAMH created the Sunrise Challenge to raise funds that fuel new discoveries and break down the barriers that keep people from getting help when they need it most. While Sunrise Challenge participants rise for different reasons, they are united by a single goal: better mental health for everyone.

“I’m rising for change. There’s a shift in attitude towards mental illnesses and I want to do everything I can to be part of it,” said Vanessa Poulin, a 2021 participant who raised $4,425—eclipsing her individual goal of $2,000—as part of the Solar Power Rangers team.

Anyone can participate in the fundraising challenge individually, or by starting or joining a team. Donations can also be made to support a participant, team or the Challenge as a whole.

CAMH will provide fundraising rewards to individual participants who reach fundraising milestones. The fundraising platform is set up for participants to succeed by making the donation process simple and secure.

As an added bonus, participants who raise more than $500 can receive special rewards including an Inspiration Kit, which contains a journal, gratitude cards, recipes and a few extra surprises. Participants who raise more than $1,000 are eligible to receive the Celebration Kit, courtesy of Sunrise Challenge sponsors.

• Wednesday, May 11, 2022 – We Rise Together Rally (virtual) for all participants
• Monday, May 30, 2022 – Sunrise Challenge begins
• Friday, June 3, 2022 – Sunrise Challenge Closing Ceremonies

The Sunrise Challenge is presented by Sun Life and supported by Peace Collective, Starbucks, Tangerine, Nutram, and CIBC.

SOURCE Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

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