North America’s largest, on-ice charity hockey tournament raises much-needed funds for research into Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
TORONTO – May 10, 2022 – The Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’sTM in Support of Baycrest is back for its 15th year on May 12-14, featuring 28 NHL Alumni, four Canadian Olympic Women’s Hockey Gold Medalists and 500 amateur hockey players who will take to the ice at the Scotiabank Pond. This year, the tournament is led by hockey legend and Hall of Famer, Eric Lindros. As the Baycrest Foundation’s Pro-Am brain health ambassador, Lindros is drawing attention to Baycrest’s efforts to defeat dementia so we can all Fear No AgeTM.
“It is truly an honour to be the Baycrest Foundation’s brain health ambassador in my first year at the Pro-Am. I can’t wait to put my skills to work for this critical cause,” Lindros said. “I’m excited to join my fellow NHL Alumni and the amazing Olympic Women Champions to help Baycrest defeat Alzheimer’s and change the future of aging. So many lives are touched by this disease and it is up to all of us to join the fight.”
Former NHL greats like Wendel Clark and Paul Coffey, and 2022 Olympic Women’s Hockey Gold Medalists, including Natalie Spooner, Renata Fast and Brianne Jenner, will participate in this year’s tournament with a goal of raising $1.4 million, adding to the more than $34.5 million raised since the event’s inception in 2005. Funds raised through the Pro-Am will directly help researchers and scientists at Baycrest better understand and, ultimately, prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
“As the scientific headquarters for over 300 researchers across Canada, Baycrest is working to discover more about the aging brain and how to prevent, detect and treat dementia,” said Josh Cooper, Baycrest Foundation President and CEO. “The generosity of everyone in our supportive Pro-Am community, from the players and their supporters, to our alumni and volunteers, is critical to Baycrest’s vision of a world where every older adult can enjoy a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment.”
The event kicks off on Thursday, May 12, with the highly anticipated Draft Night, where 500 participants will draft their favourite hockey stars to play on their teams. The tournament commences on Friday, May 13, and features:
- Two full days of hockey with fan-favourite NHL Alumni and Olympic Women’s Hockey Gold Medalists
- A Family Skate on Saturday, May 14, featuring autograph sessions with hockey heroes
- A championship game between the two best-performing teams… and more!
The Baycrest Foundation tournament is proud to have Scotiabank as the title sponsor for the 12th year in a row.
“We are thrilled that the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’s is back after two long years,” said Elias Berbari at Scotiabank. “This event demonstrates Scotiabank’s unwavering commitment to the community, supporting healthcare research at Baycrest to help improve education, care, and outcomes for those experiencing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. As Canada’s Hockey Bank, we’re proud to come together to support this important cause through an unforgettable hockey experience.”
This year’s tournament will feature patronage, prizing and giveaways from supporters including Scotiabank, Scotiabank Pond and Kobe.
Media are invited to cover the event and interview the NHL alumni, Olympic Women Gold Medalists, Baycrest spokespeople and event participants. For more information on the 2022 Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer’sTM in Support of Baycrest, visit www.baycrestproam.ca.
About the Baycrest Foundation
The Baycrest Foundation’s mission is to enrich the quality of life of our community by supporting programs and services that promote excellence in research, innovation, education and care in the field of aging and brain health. As the fundraising arm of Baycrest, the Foundation helps provide crucial funding for breakthrough research into cognition, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and aging brain health; medical programs and services for older adults living in our community; and education that supports healthy aging and healthcare solutions for a growing aging population. Currently, the Foundation is on a mission to defeat dementia and help every older adult Fear No AgeTM. For more information, visit: FearNoAge.com
About Baycrest
Baycrest is a global leader in research, innovation, education and care for older adults, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Baycrest is home to a robust research and innovation network, including one of the world’s top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, the Rotman Research Institute; the scientific headquarters of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Canada’s largest national dementia research initiative; and the Baycrest-powered Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector.
Baycrest helps aging adults assess, monitor, maintain and enhance cognition through an innovative portfolio of evidence-based products and services offered through its brain health company, Cogniciti.
Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides excellent care for older adults combined with an extensive clinical training program for the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through these initiatives, Baycrest has remained at the forefront of the fight to defeat dementia as our organization works to help individuals Fear No AgeTM and create a world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration and fulfilment. Founded in 1918 as the Toronto Jewish Old Folks Home, Baycrest continues to embrace the long-standing tradition of all great Jewish healthcare institutions to improve the well-being of people in their local communities and around the globe. For more information, visit: baycrest.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Orsolya Soos
Baycrest
416-785-2500 ext. 6579
