On Thursday, April 16, London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF), in partnership with Bell Media, hosted a star-studded, live-streaming event that raised more than $60,000 for the COVID-19 Response Fund.
London-born acclaimed actress Rachel McAdams challenged the community to match her $10,000 gift to great success.
The online event, hosted by 97.5 Virgin Radio’s J Stevens in collaboration with Pure Country 93, featured many other special guest performances and demos from local celebrities and influencers. Toronto Maple Leafs forward and former Memorial Cup-winning London Knight Mitch Marner joined the stream, and donors nabbed 16 autographed TRUE hockey sticks with donations of $500 or more.
The celebrity roster also included Juno and Canadian Country Music Association award-winning singer Tim Hicks, musicians Madeline Merlo, Sarah Smith, and Hunter Brothers, as well as Olympic gold-medal figure skater Scott Moir, interior design star Jillian Summers and others.
Participants also heard from LHSC’s Chief Medical Officer and co-lead of the hospital’s Pandemic Incident Management Team, Dr. Adam Dukelow, and were able to send him their questions from the safety of their homes.
"We've been incredibly grateful for all the donations of funding and PPE, which are helping to prepare our health-care providers with the needed equipment to safely care for patients," Dr. Dukelow says.
To provide updates on LHSF’s fundraising efforts, the foundation’s President and CEO John MacFarlane also participated in the live stream appeal.
“Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to see our community come together in remarkable strength, generosity and gratitude,” MacFarlane says. “This livestream format provides a unique new venue to do just that, while hearing from our guests who are graciously sharing their time with us.”
For Media Inquiries:
Heidi Janzen
Senior Marketing Officer
London Health Sciences Foundation
Cell: 416.949.2171 | heidi.janzen@lhsc.on.ca