I want to thank you once again for your inspirational leadership in your continuing endeavour to make the world a better place. I had the BWI cheque payable to the Toronto Youth Theatre. I had the pleasure of learning about the TYT only very recently, through the involvement of a friend of mine and his wife.

“The TYT has served as a haven
from otherwise challenging
circumstances; The Kidney
Foundation of Canada is a
national volunteer organization
committed to improving the
lives of all people affected by
kidney disease.”

The TYT gives students aged 12 to 19 the chance to work and perform in a professional theatre setting. Apparently, in Britain, youth theatre has been an important part of the theatre scene for over half a century, with more than 750 youth theater companies. In Canada, it is in its infancy.

The TYT has attracted youth from all walks of life and all social and economic classes. I know through the involvement and dedication of the volunteers that, for many of the kids, the TYT has served as a haven from otherwise challenging circumstances. The TYT’s mission statement is not primarily about education or theatre training, but rather about encouraging young people to take risks, develop imagination and promote acceptance, equality and team work. It teaches responsibility, and confronts students with personal, moral and societal issues.

I also had the pleasure of matching BWI’s gift, and chose to make my contribution to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, as I have in previous years. The inspiration for this gift is a close family member suffering from nephritic syndrome. Healthy kidneys keep protein in the blood which helps the blood soak up water from tissues. Kidneys affected by nephrotic syndrome, however, let protein leak into the urine, with the result that not enough protein is left in the blood to soak up the water, and the water moves from the blood into body tissues and causes swelling.

The cause of this condition is unknown. Treatment generally involves prednisone, or, in the case of children who relapse frequently, chemotherapy drugs called cytotoxic agents. In a minority of cases, children with nephrotic “The TYT has served as a haven from otherwise challenging circumstances; The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a national volunteer organization committed to improving the lives of all people affected by kidney disease.” syndrome suffer permanent damage to their kidneys, requiring kidney transplants but even then, the underlying condition will affect the transplanted kidney.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada is a national volunteer organization committed to improving the lives of all people affected by kidney disease. I’ve requested that my donation be applied towards the Foundation’s research activities.

Brendan, your Lazarus Partners initiative is truly inspiring, as well as empowering. The initiative shown by you and your Partners is helping to re-shape the world for the better. I am honoured to be associated with you.