FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 20, 2021
L-R: Dave Cassidy, Jennifer Cassidy, and Mackenzie Cassidy of Fury Training Grounds, Linda D’Aloisio, Barb Sebben, and Bill Marra of the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation
#MindsMatter - Stronger Than the Stigma Event Strengthens Bodies and Minds in support of Mental Health
Essex, ON:  Saturday’s more seasonable temperatures didn’t keep participants away from the #MindsMatter – Stronger than the Stigma fundraiser. Over 150 people showed up to workout at the fitness event featuring keynote speaker Michael Landsberg, celebrity champion who is a strong mental health and addictions ambassador and founder of #SickNotWeak.

The eight-hour event, hosted by Fury Training Grounds in Essex, challenged participants with a workout each hour, on the hour. Encouraging attendees to strengthen their bodies and their minds.

Donations continue to pour in following the October 16th event, bringing the previously announced $112,000 raised up to $120,000, and counting! 

Saturday’s event marks the third annual fundraiser spearheaded by 19-year-old Mackenzie Cassidy, with the support of her parents, Dave and Jennifer Cassidy and the community at Fury Training Grounds. 

“We are extremely proud to have raised $120,000.00 in support of Mental Health and Addictions programs at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare,” states Mackenzie, event organizer. “Mental health is something that affects everyone, either directly or indirectly at some point in their lifetime. #MindsMatter will help ensure that accessible programs are available in our community to help those struggling, while also helping to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.”

Saturday’s event marks the third annual fundraising event organized by Cassidy, making her just 17 when she first started on her mission to better the community. To date, she has raised over $230,000 through the annual fundraising events. In the cold winter months, Mackenzie can be found making and serving full hot turkey plates as well as providing dry socks and gloves to the less fortunate in our communities.  
 
Also in attendance at the #MindsMatter event was Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Michael Tibollo. Minister Tibollo’s passion for the Windsor/Essex community was obvious as he spoke fondly of his days as a University of Windsor Law Student. He concluded his remarks by furthering Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare as a Centre of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions, later reaffirmed through the provincial Government’s announcement Monday. 

Funds raised through the event will benefit Mental Health programs at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare through the HDGH Foundation.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Bill Marra, VP of People, Mission, Communications & Corporate Affairs
Email: bill.marra@hdgh.org
Cell: 519.919.0033
About Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the Windsor-Essex community through the delivery of patient-centred, valued based care. Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is a unique community hospital offering services in Mental Health and Addictions; Rehabilitative Care; Complex Medical and Palliative Care; and Children and Youth Mental Health. We offer a unique blend of services including but not limited to community and home based services. In collaboration with our healthcare and inter-sectorial partners, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is providing care in new ways and in new locations throughout the region to address barriers, improve access and patient outcomes and improve the overall patient experience.
About Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation works with our generous donors and the community at large to raise essential funds for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our friends for their outstanding dedication to the Foundation. All of our supporters have truly made a lasting difference through their commitment. We work with the hospital's senior team to identify equipment and program needs. This ensures our annual fundraising objectives are clearly defined, but more importantly, it ensures donor dollars are directed to the areas of greatest need. Once our goal is set, we attain it through various fundraising initiatives such as major and planned gifts, our popular and varied special events, our direct mail appeals, third-party events, tribute program, and family giving campaigns.