A Celebration of Women™

is elated to Celebrate the Life of this wonderful power of example of what a woman can accomplish when she puts her mind to a project. Thriving above her own personal experience with cancer, this powerhouse devotes her life to raising funds for one of Canada’s major cancer centers, working diligently to Find a Cure, always believing that a day will come for our world that will be CANCER FREE.

 
 
 
 

WOMAN of ACTION™

 

 

Emmanuelle Gattuso

 

“I think it’s going to make an enormous difference, not only for women, but also their families, for their colleagues and their friends,” said Gattuso, who recovered after her diagnosis in 2003. “They can organize. Once you know what you have to deal with, I think it’s much easier to deal with it, and women have told us that over and over again.”

 

 

Emmanuelle Gattuso’s breast cancer battle spurs Slaight family’s $50 million donation to Princess Margaret Hospital
 
When Emmanuelle Gattuso learned in November 2002 that doctors had spotted something suspicious during a routine mammogram she thought,

“No, no, God’s not going to do that to me.”

She had already suffered her share of cancer-related grief.

Both her best friend and mother had died of ovarian cancer in the preceding weeks and her sister was a breast cancer survivor.

The news was not good.

Gattuso was diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

“Your whole world turns upside down,” she recalled.

“And you don’t know how long you’re going to be here.”

 

But the cancer was caught early and she underwent treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital. She hasn’t forgotten the care she received there.

On Monday, she and husband Allan Slaight announced a record-setting $50 million gift to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

The private donation — the largest of its kind in Canada for cancer research — will go into a “superfund” so that the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre can attract the world’s best scientists in personalized cancer medicine.

“Cancer is the leading cause of death,” Gattuso, 65, told the Star, following a media conference, during which the announcement was made. “And if you can do anything that will help others have a better experience, and hopefully lead to a cure, you just want to do it.”

To date, Gattuso, her husband, who was not at the media conference, and the Slaight family have committed $72 million to the foundation. (In 2009, they donated $22 million to create The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre at the hospital.)

Last year, the Toronto couple was named Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Allan Slaight is a broadcasting legend who built a radio empire to become one of the country’s richest men. According to a recent list by Canadian Business magazine, the Slaight family ranks No.28 among the nation’s wealthiest and is worth a reported $1.97 billion.

The $50 million donation will be distributed over ten years and is provided through The Slaight Foundation. In Canada, foundations are not eligible for tax receipts.
“This gift, literally, is a game-changer for cancer research,” said Paul Alofs, president and CEO of University Health Network.

Personalized cancer medicine uses genetic profiling of tumours to aid in earlier detection, a more precise diagnosis and to provide targeted treatment. This means, for instance, that two people diagnosed with breast cancer may undergo very different treatment because the genetic makeup of their tumours is different. Targeted treatment and immune therapy — a way to reactivate the immune system against tumors — could lead to cures.

“This superfund will enable us to build and support research teams focused on precision genomics, advanced tumour biology, immune therapy and molecular imaging,” said Dr. Benjamin Neel, director of research at the centre.

“It will enable us to accelerate groundbreaking research and translate it to the clinic, helping us move from rapid diagnosis, to rapid molecular diagnosis, and ultimately, we hope, to durable cures.”

The family donation is a big boost to the foundation’s campaign to raise funds for personalized cancer medicine, dubbed the Billion Dollar Challenge. Since its launch in April 2012, $243 million has been raised through philanthropic support and scientific grants. Isabel Teotonio Life Reporter TORONTO STAR, LIFE

Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight celebrated as true philanthropists!

Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight have a long, varied and extremely rich history of giving with many charities in Toronto, most notably The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, The National Ballet of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Walrus Foundation. When Emmanuelle was diagnosed with breast cancer, her relationship with Princess Margaret Hospital deepened, as she evolved from donor to patient to champion. In total, the Gattuso-Slaight family donated $20 million of the $25 million raised for the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre (GRDC), a gift with an immediate and far-reaching impact on health care delivery and patient care.

Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight’s generous gifts also include: $5 million to the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Transformation AGO campaign, $225,000 to the Walrus Foundation and continuous support to The National Ballet of Canada’s Dancers First new dancer sponsorship program. The family has demonstrated inspirational leadership and their influence is innovative and inspiring across all charitable sectors in Canada. Active participants in the advancement of social good and welfare to the benefit of the broader community, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight have set historical standards in philanthropy and leadership giving.
 

 

Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight have a long, varied and extremely rich history of giving with many charities in Toronto, most notably The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, The National Ballet of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Walrus Foundation. When Emmanuelle was diagnosed with breast cancer, her relationship with Princess Margaret Hospital deepened, as she evolved from donor to patient to champion. In total, the Gattuso-Slaight family donated $20 million of the $25 million raised for the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre (GRDC), a gift with an immediate and far-reaching impact on health care delivery and patient care.

Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight’s generous gifts also include: $5 million to the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Transformation AGO campaign, $225,000 to the Walrus Foundation and continuous support to The National Ballet of Canada’s Dancers First new dancer sponsorship program. The family has demonstrated inspirational leadership and their influence is innovative and inspiring across all charitable sectors in Canada. Active participants in the advancement of social good and welfare to the benefit of the broader community, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight have set historical standards in philanthropy and leadership giving.

EMMANUELLE’S PHILANTHROPY – Newswire

Biggest Ever Private Donation to Cancer Research in Canada

TORONTO, Jan. 21, 2013 /CNW/ – Canadian philanthropists Emmanuelle Gattuso, Allan Slaight and the Slaight family made history today with a $50 million gift to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. The extraordinary donation is the biggest ever private gift to cancer research in Canadian history and will advance the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s Personalized Cancer Medicine initiative.

Ms. Gattuso and Mr. Slaight’s gift to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation’s Billion Dollar Challenge is pledged over ten years, and is an investment in human capital. It will create an unprecedented Personalized Cancer Medicine “superfund to support superstars” that will provide the necessary long-term, sustainable funding to attract, support and retain the best and brightest minds in the world whose sole focus is to eradicate cancer.

In 2012, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight were named Philanthropists of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). The couple has dedicated their lives to transforming the things that matter to them. Helping cancer patients is at the top of their list. As a 10-year cancer survivor, Ms. Gattuso has seen significant change driven by the dedicated scientists and caregivers at The Princess Margaret over the past decade. For Ms. Gattuso, Mr. Slaight and the Slaight family, The Princess Margaret’s vision of Personalized Cancer Medicine resonates and is the reason for their generous gift.

Emmanuelle Gattuso commented, “I have been touched by cancer, as have so many friends and family members. Allan and I are extremely pleased to be able to support The Princess Margaret’s Billion Dollar Challenge for Personalized Cancer Medicine and hope others will join us. We believe in The Princess Margaret’s vision to conquer cancer in our lifetime.”

The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, is revolutionizing cancer care by creating and delivering its own distinct model of Personalized Cancer Medicine encompassing four key themes: detect, diagnose, target and support. Personalized Cancer Medicine will help detect cancers earlier, diagnose cancers more precisely, provide targeted treatment, and better support patients and their families through their cancer journey.

“This outstanding gift will add significant momentum to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s global leadership role in advancing Personalized Cancer Medicine,” said Dr. Robert Bell, President & CEO of University Health Network (UHN).

Dr. Benjamin Neel, Research Director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, said, “This unprecedented “superfund” allows us to build and support research teams focused on precision genomics, advanced tumour biology, immune therapy and molecular imaging.” He added, “I truly believe that we can conquer cancer.”

“Emmanuelle Gattuso, Allan Slaight and the Slaight family have made this historic gift to our Billion Dollar Challenge to help transform cancer care as we know it today,” said Paul Alofs, President & CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. “This will be a revolution that will take place over the next ten years. Please join us as we raise funds to create the new gold standard in cancer care.”

In 2009, Emmanuelle Gattuso, Allan Slaight and the Slaight family donated more than $22 million to create The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre at The Princess Margaret. The centre provides one-day diagnoses and treatment plans to breast cancer patients. Rapid diagnosis is now being embraced by other cancer sites, including colorectal, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers. To date, The Princess Margaret will have received donations totaling more than $72 million from Ms. Gattuso, Mr. Slaight and the Slaight family.

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation launched a Billion Dollar Challenge in April 2012. To date, this challenge has raised $243 million in a combination of donations and grants

To donate to Personalized Cancer Medicine at The Princess Margaret, please visit www.ibelieveit.ca

 

About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

 
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute, have achieved an international reputation as global leaders in the fight against cancer and delivering Personalized Cancer Medicine.

The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. For more information about the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, visit www.theprincessmargaret.ca or www.ibelieveit.ca.

About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute.

 
More information about The Foundation can be found at www.thepmcf.ca.

For further information, contact:

Video with caption: “VIDEO: In an historic announcement today, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation received a $50 million gift for Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre from philanthropists Emmanuelle Gattuso, Allan Slaight and the Slaight family. “. Video

Video with caption: “Canadian philanthropists Emmanuelle Gattuso, Allan Slaight and the Slaight family, provide The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation with a $50 million gift for personalized cancer medicine. Breast cancer survivor, Emmanuelle, speaks about her desire to help conquer cancer and further the work at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. “. Video

Video with caption: “Dr. Ben Neel, Director of Research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada, speaks about the historic $50 million gift to advance the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s Personalized Cancer Medicine Initiative, having long-term impact on attracting and retaining the brightest minds in cancer research. “. Video available.

Image with caption: “Celebrating an historic $50 million donation for Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre are (left to right) Paul Alofs (President & CEO, The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre), Dr. Robert Bell (President & CEO of University Health Network), philanthropist Emmanuelle Gattuso (who, with husband Allan Slaight and the Slaight family, donated the gift), Geoffrey Ogram (lung cancer patient), Dr. Benjamin Neel (Research Director, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) and Dr. Mary Gospodarowicz (Medical Director of the Cancer Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre). (CNW Group/Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)”. Image

Image with caption: “Emmanuelle Gattuso, a cancer survivor herself, speaks to a capacity crowd at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre following her historic donation of $50 million to Personalized Cancer Medicine at The Princess Margaret. The $50 million gift was from Ms. Gattuso, her husband Allan Slaight as well as the Slaight family. (CNW Group/Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)”. Image available HERE.

SOURCE: Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

For further information:
Kevin Shea
Associate Director, Public Relations
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
[email protected]
416-946-2898

Sommer Ellis
Senior Consultant
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
[email protected]
416-413-4756

The Donor: Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight

The Gift: $13.9-million

The Cause: Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, Toronto

The Reason: To help start a rapid diagnostic centre for breast cancer

When Emmanuelle Gattuso found out in 2002 that she had a lump in her breast she spent weeks agonizing about whether she had cancer.

 
 
 

FIND EMMANUELLE HERE

FACEBOOK – Emmanuelle Gattuso

TWITTER – @emmagatt

LINKED IN – Emmanuelle Gatusso, Independent Fund Raising Professional

Anxiety-filled wait for breast cancer diagnosis reduced to 1 day
TOP QUOTE – CBC NEWS
 
 

 
 
 
 

A Celebration of Women™

welcomes this wonderful Canadian woman into our global Alumni with open arms, looking forward to collaboration in both finding a cure for cancer, as well as bettering the lives of women and children everywhere!

 
 
 

 

Brava Emmanuelle!