Tour de Bleu 2019 Smashes Fundraising Goals

August 13, 2019

Tour de Bleu, a private cycling fundraiser hosted by the Peter Gilgan Foundation and Mattamy Homes, raised $4.4 million to support youth mental health initiatives at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). In its 15th year, Tour de Bleu 2019 raised a record amount thanks to the generous riders and sponsors.

“We are grateful that this one-of-a-kind event will once again be supporting Canada’s leading mental health hospital and research centre.”

Deborah Gillis, President and CEO of the CAMH Foundation

Supporting Youth Mental Health

Funds raised by Tour de Bleu 2019 are supporting life-saving youth mental health care and research at CAMH.

Half of all cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Early intervention is key to preventing mental illness or lessening its impacts over a person’s lifetime.

CAMH researchers are engaging young people and their families to develop effective mental health services. This research includes using innovative approaches — like mobile and wearable technology — to identify and treat illnesses earlier, and creating biologically informed prevention and treatment strategies. Tour de Bleu riders and sponsors will enable CAMH to build on this innovative work and support young people in their recovery from mental illness.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with CAMH. Young people today face unique challenges that can adversely affect their mental health,” said Peter Gilgan. “CAMH has long been at the forefront of transforming youth mental health. We’re proud to support research and care initiatives that improve outcomes for young people during this critical time in their development.”

A Legacy of Giving

Over the last 15 years Tour de Bleu has raised approximately $25 million for notable charities such as SickKids Hospital, Trillium Health Centre, William Osler Health Centre, Markham/Stouffville Hospital, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Women’s College Hospital Foundation. In 2018, Tour de Bleu raised $3.75 million to support the development of the new Tour de Bleu Therapeutic Neighbourhood at CAMH.