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$7 Million Gift from G. Raymond Chang to Further Research at CAMH $5 million donation will support new inpatient centre for youth McCain Family gift supports vision for CAMH Redevelopment CIBC The T.R. Meighen Family The Labatt Family The Beamish Family

Beamish Family Foundation gives $5 million

Over the years, mental illness and addiction have not attracted the same level of philanthropic support as many other comparable causes—largely because of the associated stigma. But a recent gift to CAMH signals a dramatic change in this trend. The Beamish Family, through The WB Family Foundation, have given $5 million – one of the largest gifts in CAMH’s history.

Stigma creates challenges

For The WB Family Foundation, it was recognition of the need to take leadership, and support a highly deserving and effective organization— yet one that remains a “hard sell” because of stigma.

As Heather Beamish pointed out in a recent speech, “There’s no cute little kid on a billboard asking for you to support CAMH.” Such definitive leadership support from prominent community members powerfully attests to the changing views of society toward mental health and addiction. It also shows the support from the community for CAMH’s vision of a new kind of hospital for the 21st century.

With these and other gifts—and those to come—we will be able to continue to transform not only the landscape at our Queen Street site, but also the lives of clients and the way society views addiction and mental illness.