Mississauga cyclists raise a record $5.6M for senior heath care

Mississauga | Community | Health | Other |

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Published September 16, 2022 at 12:47 pm

tour de blue

Cyclists raised a record $5.6 million for Trillium Health Partners in the Tour de Bleu Cycling Event in Mississauga last weekend.

Tour de Bleu, an annual fundraiser hosted by Mattamy Homes and the Peter Gilgan Foundation, is now in its 17th year and has raised more than $33 million for several different causes. The event returned in 2021, after being postponed in 2020.

This year, more than 30 cyclists participated in the event, which included a Saturday (Sept. 10) ride in Muskoka, followed by a 50 or 100 kilometre ride to Mississauga’s Trillium Health Partners hospital on Sunday.

In 2021, the cyclists raised $4.7 million in support of seniors’ care. Combined with this year, the cyclists have raised a total of $10.5 million over two years to improve health care services for seniors in Trillium Health Partners’ community and beyond.

Seniors account for over two-thirds of  Trillium Health Partner’s patient population, with most living with two or more chronic diseases.

“As Canada’s population ages, the need to find innovative and efficient ways to care for seniors is becoming increasingly important,” a press release from Tour de Bleu reads.

Over the next 20 years, the Mississauga area will see more demand for care than any other hospital system in the province, with the number of seniors set to double.

The funds will support technological improvements including a virtual hub for primary care providers.

“COVID highlighted the need for us to deliver care for seniors differently, using technology and more connected systems to improve quality and safety,” said Karli Farrow, President and CEO of THP. “Tour de Bleu’s 2022 record gift ensures we can accelerate this work and lead the way in better seniors’ health care. To Peter, the Gilgan family, their foundation, the team at Mattamy Homes and the riders and supporters of the event, thank you!”

Peter Gilgan’s contribution to Tour de Bleu in 2021 and 2022 is part of the historic $105 million donation he and his foundation made in February of this year to help build Canada’s largest hospital – The Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital – and expand the future home of the Gilgan Family Queensway Health Centre.

Gilgam is chairman and CEO of Mattamy Asset Management and founder of the Peter Gilgan Foundation.

In the past, Tour de Bleu has donated to SickKids Hospital, William Osler Health Centre, Markham Stouffville Hospital, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Women’s College Hospital, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

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