Paul Martin Sr. Society Dinner celebrates 50 years of progress
(11/21/2005 4:39:00 PM)
On November 17, the Paul Martin Sr. Society celebrated half a century of social and scientific progress by marking the 50th anniversary of the Jonas Salk vaccine for polio, all among friends and special guests at the Arcadian Court in downtown Toronto.
More than 300 supporters also cheered the history and accomplishments of Ontario March of Dimes, raising over $90,000 for the programs and services that serve so many people across the province.
We were honoured to be joined by a number of distinguished guests, including prominent businesswoman Rebecca MacDonald and long-time friend and supporter Mark Lievonen, President of sanofi pasteur. Global TV's Leslie Roberts was our gracious Master of Ceremonies.
The Honourable Belinda Stronach, our special guest speaker, told the story of Dr. Leone Farrell, the remarkable scientist who invented the so-called “Toronto Technique” for the mass production of the Salk vaccine.
And Mr. David Martin, grandson of Paul Martin Sr. and son the Honourable Paul Martin, spoke about the gift of family and the importance of courage and cooperation in the face of uncertainty and fear.
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The Honourable David Peterson, Honorary Chair of Ontario March of Dimes
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We also highlighted the outstanding generosity and longtime friendship CitiFinancial Canada Inc. and Green Shield Canada by making them the latest inductees into the Jonas Salk Circle of Friends.
Membership in the Circle of Friends is the highest recognition bestowed by the Paul Martin Sr. Society, and is given to sponsors who contribute gifts in excess of $100,000.
The Paul Martin Sr. Society was created by Ontario March of Dimes to honour Paul Martin Sr. As Canada’s Minister of Health and Welfare in the 1950s, he was responsible for the nation’s first distribution of the polio vaccine to Canadian children, helping to end the threat of the disease that had raged across the country.
Funds raised from ticket sales will benefit Ontario March of Dimes’ various programs and services, and organizers send thanks and well wishes to everyone who helped make the evening a tremendous success.
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MC Leslie Roberts
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David Martin and OMOD representative Ruth Kapelus
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Scarborough's Simone Soman gave a dazzling rendition of the national anthem |
OMOD representatives Tony Barros and Warren Rupnarain
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Shelley Peterson with longtime OMOD supporters Robert and Anne-Marie Canning
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OMOD Research Manager Deborah Pal with OMOD/CIHR Post-Doctoral Fellowship winner Lora Marie Giangregorio |