On October 24, 2001, 550 distinguished guests were present at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Concert Hall, to support women’s health and to celebrate the 11th Annual Genesis Awareness Breakfast.

The programme focus was “The Balancing Act” with Dr. Marla Shapiro, as Guest Speaker, who presented pointers on how best to achieve a better balance in our busy lives. Keynote Speaker, Dr. Jo-Ann Johnson, discussed the concern that more and more women are choosing to delay childbearing without full appreciation of the potential consequences and risks.

Over $100,000 was raised, breaking all previous records for the amount of dollars contributed to support this important annual fundraising event. The Genesis Research Foundation wishes to thank and recognize Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) for participating as Title Sponsor for Breakfast 2001.

The generous ongoing support from our Corporate Sponsors - Bank of Nova Scotia, Berlex Canada Inc., CIBC, Janssen-Ortho Inc., Manulife Financial, Pfizer Canada Inc., Pharmacia Canada Inc. and TD Bank Financial Group - enables Genesis to continue to provide education, awareness and medical research in the areas of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Genesis would like to especially thank Patron Pamela Wallin, presiding as Master of Ceremonies for the 7th consecutive year, and Genesis Patrons Barbara Hall and Barbara McDougall for their ongoing support of Genesis and women’s health concerns in Canada.

The Breakfast would not be possible without the hard work and dedicated efforts of the Breakfast Co-Chairs, Aynne Farmer, Roberta Forrest and Sharon Gunn; Breakfast Committee, Jane Avery, Sylvia Bailey, Julie Brown, Alice Lee, Bev Lever, Pat Mabee and Donna Merber; Breakfast Volunteers, Ellie Ainsworth, Bonnie Ambrose, Maria Collins, Nonnie Elkins, Ruth Gannon, Jean Hart, Daniela Kibedi, Hannah Klein, Donna Kriekle, Frances Krygsman, Claire Lee, Susan Lee, Anne Lumbreras, Margaret Martin, Fran May, Jess Merber, Muriel Richardson, Franca Vidov, Dianne Yaneff, and the volunteer students of The Bishop Strachan School.

Our most sincere thanks to John Annan, Annan & Sons Ltd. Lithographers, for the donation of printing services and paper products for the 4th consecutive Genesis Breakfast. Our partnership with Annan & Sons has contributed significantly to better management of the operating costs of the Breakfast.

The Genesis Breakfast is becoming well known for the exceptional door prize gift offering which this year raised over $12,000 for medical research. The 7 luxury items were donated by Au Lit Fine Linens, Demarco-Perpich, JK ROM Restaurant, Langdon Hall, McClelland & Stewart, The Millcroft Inn, and Florence Winberg.

And finally, but not least, a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Knox Ritchie, Chair, Genesis Research Foundation, for his continuous support and exceptional leadership qualities which has made my multifaceted responsibilities at Genesis a pleasure.

We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Genesis Breakfast in October 2002.