TORONTO, ON - The Milos Raonic Foundation announced today that its first gift will support Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. The $40,000 gift will create The Milos Raonic Kids Agility Clinic at Holland Bloorview that will nurture some of Canada's future paralympians. The clinic will help kids and youth who have amputations and other disabilities lead healthy and active lives.
In addition, The Milos Raonic Foundation will grant a further $30,000 to match gifts to support the development of a pediatric version of the LC Knee™, an innovative and low-cost prosthetic knee developed by Holland Bloorview engineer scientist, Dr. Jan Andrysek. This functional and stable prosthetic knee allows individuals with limb loss to regain a high-level of mobility at a projected cost of less than $100. The Milos Raonic Foundation will match donations from the general public for this innovative prosthetic.
Milos Raonic, Canada's top-ranked tennis player, launched his Foundation in November 2012. The charitable foundation will create and support initiatives to reduce economic, physical, and other barriers that may prevent children from becoming healthy, productive members of society.
"Holland Bloorview is a great organization. I hope the clinic will encourage kids to be healthy and active, and that sport may open up as many opportunities for them as it did for me," says Raonic.
"Holland Bloorview Foundation is honoured to receive The Milos Raonic Foundation's first gift," says Tracey Bailey, President and CEO of Holland Bloorview Foundation. "It's a gift that will help kids here discover their abilities and be guided by experts as they pursue their dreams to compete and be paralympians. Milos' challenge will also support kids around the world whose dream it is to have a prosthetic leg to get around everyday."
To learn more about The Milos Raonic Foundation matching opportunity, please visit www.hollandbloorviewfoundation.ca.
ABOUT THE MILOS RAONIC FOUNDATION
Established in 2012, The Milos Raonic Foundation harnesses resources in support of disadvantaged children. In particular, the foundation will support initiatives intended to reduce economic, physical and other barriers that might prevent the full integration of all children in the lives of their communities. The foundation is officially registered as a private foundation with the Canada Revenue Agency. Milos Raonic is the highest ranked Canadian tennis player in the history of the open era. For more information, visit: www.milosraonicofficial.com.
ABOUT HOLLAND BLOORVIEW KIDS REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation raises funds in the community for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Holland Bloorview is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation teaching hospital. The hospital pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate in life to the fullest. For more information, visit: www.hollandbloorviewfoundation.ca.
Media Contacts:
Tiffany Astle, Media Relations, tiffany@penelopepr.com, 416-554-7329,
Nicole Watson, Director, Communications & Marketing, Holland Bloorview Foundation, nwatson@hollandbloorview.ca, 416-424-3850,
Austin Nunn, Manager, Milos Raonic, austin@austinnunn.com