NHL alumni greats gather in Toronto to raise funds for the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's

TORONTO, May 7, 2012 /CNW/ - As the 2012 Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's came to a close, committee members, participants and countless volunteers gathered to celebrate the $2.3 million raised in Toronto. Proceeds will support Baycrest, an academic health sciences centre and a global leader in innovations in aging and brain health to improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

"On behalf of Baycrest we extend our thanks to everyone involved in the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's for their longstanding support," said Dr. William Reichman, President and CEO, Baycrest. "For the seventh year in a row, Toronto's team captains, players and donors have made a truly incredible contribution -- one that is deeply appreciated by all of us at Baycrest, and by those affected by the disease.  Proceeds will continue to support Baycrest's innovations in care and world-leading research in brain health."

NHL alumni including fan favourites Doug Gilmour and Lanny McDonald were on hand at York University's Canlan Ice Sports playing games, signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans, all in support of Baycrest. Each participating team raised a minimum of $25,000, and the top fundraisers had an opportunity to play in both the All-Star and Championship Games against some of the NHL's greatest alumni. The memorable weekend showcased talent from across Toronto and allowed the city to come together and fight dementia-related diseases.

"We thank everyone in the community who helped make the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's a $2.3 million success in support of Alzheimer's research," said John Doig, Scotiabank's Senior Vice-President, Toronto Region. "The event combined Scotiabank's love of hockey with its dedication to giving back to the community and it was inspiring to see so many people come together for the fight against Alzheimer's."

The last of the 2012 Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's events will take place in Vancouver, October 26-28, 2012. Those interested in participating in the 2013 Toronto Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's can officially register their team as well as learn more about the tournament at www.scotiabankproam.com.

Follow the excitement on Twitter at @ScotiabankProAm (#scotiaproam) and on Facebook at Facebook.com/ScotiabankProAm.

About the Scotiabank Pro-Am for Alzheimer's
Established in 2004, the Scotiabank Pro-Am is an innovative charitable hockey tournament that supports care and research in Alzheimer's and associated illnesses. Taking place in four Canadian cities (Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver) the three-day hockey experience allows amateur hockey players the opportunity to play with and against a host of NHL alumni. To date, the Scotiabank Pro-Am has raised more than $20 million for the Gordie & Colleen Howe Fund for Alzheimer's which helps to fund care and research in Alzheimer's and related dementias by supporting local Alzheimer Societies and Baycrest - a global leader in developing and providing innovations in aging and brain health.

About Baycrest
Baycrest is a global leader in developing and providing innovations in aging and brain health. Headquartered on a 22-acre campus in Toronto and fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides care to more than 2,500 frail and active seniors every day in outpatient and inpatient programs and residential settings. Baycrest's Centre for Memory and Neurotherapeutics offers clinical and educational programs for memory, dementia and related disorders. Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute is one of the top five brain institutes in the world, leading groundbreaking research to understand the mechanisms of memory and executive functions of the brain, in normal aging and in the presence of dementia, Alzheimer's, stroke and other conditions and diseases.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com