Toronto restaurant and hospital partner to establish SARS research fund

Toronto, ON May 6, 2003 A Fund for SARS Research was established today at Mount Sinai Hospital through a C$100,000 gift from Mandarin Restaurants. Under the direction of Dr Don Low, microbiologist-in-chief, this fund will assist Mount Sinai’s leading researchers in their pursuit to diagnose and treat this serious and enigmatic condition.

“The Mandarin family would like to in our own small way help the medical community with the fight against SARS,” says James Chiu, president, Mandarin Restaurants. "They have worked so hard and we hope that our contribution can make a difference."

“While we have reached a stage in the crisis where we can get on with our lives there is still much to be done in order to understand this disease and to prevent future outbreaks,” said Dr. Don Low, Chief Microbiologist-in Chief, Mount Sinai Hospital. “Our first priority is to find effective ways to diagnose and treat this highly contagious disease. To do this we need to learn everything we can about SARS.”

“We are truly grateful to Mandarin Restaurants for their support in our SARS research efforts,” said Joseph Mapa, president and CEO, Mount Sinai Hospital. “Through this generous gift they are showing the important role the community can play in helping bring SARS under control, not only in Toronto but around the world.”