Dr. Patricia Mills has a vision. As a physician scientist at GF Strong Rehab Centre and the ICORD Spinal Cord Research Program at VGH, her goal is to help people recover from spinal cord injuries. Thanks to TD Bank Group, she now has the funding to conduct groundbreaking research to achieve her dream.

Dr. Mills is a recipient of the Adopt a Young Scientist Award made possible by TD’s donation totalling $750,000. This award will help Dr. Mills evaluate whether electrical stimulation of the brain can improve blood pressure control in individuals with spinal cord injury, which among other things, would improve their physical rehabilitation and recovery time.

For TD Bank Group, that’s just the beginning. Their TD Grants in Medical Excellence Program is providing seed funding for young physician researchers over the next decade. This means that young medical professionals will be able to conduct innovative research that improves the health of people today, and in the future.

We’re grateful to TD Bank Group, and donors like you, who are so committed to promoting excellence and building capacity for health research.

“This TD grant will help me with research that will benefit patients here, and around the world,” says Dr. Mills.

SIDE BAR STORY: BC HOME TO WORLD-LEADING SPINE PROGRAM

As many as 80% of British Columbians experience debilitating back pain at some point in their lives. This makes everyday activities – like walking or working – agonizing, if not impossible, tasks.

Even worse? Every year, more than 1,000 Canadians are paralyzed after suffering a spinal cord injury.

For spine patients in BC, their best hope rests with the experts at VGH’s Spine Program. This world-renowned team provides patient care, and conducts pioneering research into new treatments.

Donations are urgently needed to advance patient care and research to improve the lives of patients with spinal cord injuries, and offer hope for the future.