Dr. Phil Switzer Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology, UBC and Managing Radiologist, Greig Associates X-Ray, BMD, Ultrasound, Mammography to be honoured by The University of British Columbia, The Rick Hansen Foundation, and The Canadian Friends of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
BACK TO SPINAL RESEARCH One wintry afternoon, Dr. Phil Switzer realized the mass on the MRI screen was a tumour in his own spinal cord. Often faced with the task of breaking bad news to patients, the leader in radiology became a patient himself. Given the dangerous location of the tumor and difficulty of removal, he knew he could end up paralyzed from the waist down. But months later, he was back on his feet again, seeing patients, and bicycling, skiing and golfing. The story of Dr. Switzer s surgery, rehabilitation and recovery gives hope to spinal injury patients worldwide. It speaks to the strength of the human spirit, the value of support, and the unique perspective of the doctor as patient. It also testifies to the incredible strides in spinal cord research. In honour of Dr. Switzer, the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University (CFHU), the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the Rick Hansen Foundation are inviting the Vancouver community to support spinal cord learning and research. I don t really like to be honoured, it s not my style. I am doing this to support the cause - Hebrew University, UBC and spinal research. - Dr. Phil Switzer 2
THE IMPACT WE CAN MAKE The common vision of championing spinal cord research has brought together three institutions in a unique partnership to make an impact on this cause. The Hebrew University-UBC-Rick Hansen Foundation partnership is seeking to raise funds to support spinal cord research-related priorities. Your investment in this partnership will fund: equipment to carry out clinical studies of spinal cord injury patients and form experimental models of spinal injuries at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem doctoral or post-doctoral candidates at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem conducting spinal cord or other neuroscience research related to the Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada. This will also help to further the goals of the Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada. post-doctoral fellows and health professional trainees at UBC engaged in spinal cord injury and recovery related research locally and globally. It will also provide an opportunity to share and exchange the latest research and teaching knowledge by allowing researchers, health professionals and students to visit The Hebrew University to participate in collaborative research or training. In turn, The Hebrew University will also have the opportunity to learn and work with UBC and its affiliated research institutes. the expansion of the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Registry, Canada s only national database for people with traumatic forms of SCI. This registry links researchers, healthcare professionals and people with SCI, enabling them to share information across Canada. Expanding this on the international stage will help accelerate the discovery, validation and implementation of new treatments and practices and will ultimately increase independence and improve quality of life for people living with SCI. Your gift will help us expand this registry to become the only international repository of vital SCI information. Israel will become the second country after Australia to join the Rick Hansen SCI Registry. Investments in this partnership will be shared between The Hebrew University, UBC and the Rick Hansen Foundation, with 50 percent of the proceeds supporting The Hebrew University, 25 percent supporting UBC and 25 percent supporting the Rick Hansen Foundation. 3
FOCUSING ON THE CAUSE Every two years, CFHU hosts a gala dinner in Vancouver where a community leader is honored and a fundraising campaign that focuses on a cause of their choice is concluded. On April 25, 2010, the gala will honour Dr. Phil Switzer, CFHU National Vice-President and clinical professor of radiology at UBC. Held precisely two years after Dr. Switzer s spinal cord surgery, the dinner will be hosted by honorary co-chairs: Mr. Rick Hansen (President & CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation) Professor Stephen J. Toope (President & Vice-Chancellor of The Univeristy of British Columbia) Professor Menahem Ben Sasson (President of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) 4
THE PARTNERS THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM Founded in 1925 by Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Martin Buber and Chaim Weizman, HU is Israel s most important scientific institution, conducting over one third of all academic scientific research in Israel and 43 percent of Israel s biotechnology research. It is awarded one third of the competitive research grants in Israel, is affiliated with five major hospitals, and is committed to improving the wellbeing of communities in the region, and the world at large. HU s Faculty of Medicine has embarked on an innovative new project, the Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC), which brings together a powerful intellectual community of top scientists to facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to biomedical research. New and innovative projects at IMRIC are contributing to future development of novel approaches to spinal cord injury and to advancing spinal cord research. THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA UBC holds an international reputation for excellence in advanced research and learning. We are committed to building opportunities for international engagement, creating and advancing new knowledge, and improving the quality of life through the discovery, dissemination and application of research. We are internationally recognized for our expertise in spinal cord research, which is critical to the successful treatment of the long-term consequences of spinal cord injury. THE RICK HANSEN FOUNDATION The Foundation inspires others to share in the achievement of big dreams that accelerate improvements in the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury. The Foundation s two primary goals are to create accessible and inclusive communities for people with spinal cord injury, and to champion research for a cure for spinal cord injury. Inspired by the extraordinary achievement of founder Rick Hansen s Man In Motion World Tour, the Foundation has strived to make a positive difference in the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury, and supports its goals by connecting people and resources across all the sectors necessary to make change possible. 5
WE NEED YOUR HELP With this partnership, the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of British Columbia and the Rick Hansen Foundation have created a powerful force for accelerating world-class research discoveries that will truly change the lives of people living with spinal cord injury. We invite you to join us by making an investment in this exciting partnership. Mike Reid, Vice President Resource Development The Rick Hansen Foundation Phone: 778-296-1546 E-mail: mreid@rickhansen.com Dina Wachtel, Executive Director Western Region The Canadian Friends of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Phone: 604-257-5133 E-mail: dwachtel@cfhu.org All three organizations are thankful for all gifts and are pleased to work with donors of significant gifts to ensure appropriate and effective recognition and accountability. Sarah Roth, Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Affairs Faculty of Medicine, The Univeristy of British Columbia Phone: 604-827-0569 E-mail: sarah.roth@ubc.ca 6