The Judy Wells Challenge

By Judy Wells

Together, we can change the outcomes for your loved ones who may be suffering.

OVERALL GOAL: 

I am raising the $3 million urgently needed to endow a first of its kind Canadian Research Chair in Emergency Medicine Addiction and Mental Health at Mount Sinai Hospital.

My September goal is $100,000

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I am an alcoholic with bi-polar disorder. This year, I am celebrating 32 years of continuous sobriety. I am one of the lucky ones who never ended up in an emergency department, psychiatric ward or jail.

I’m sure you have a family member, co-worker or friend who can’t stop drinking although you know they have huge reserves of willpower. These people close to us often suffer anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses. Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) serve as a 24/7 front door to the health-care system for people struggling with mental illness and addictions.

That’s why I am championing a world-first endowed Chair in Emergency Medicine Addiction and Mental Health at Mount Sinai Hospital. It is critical that we improve the ED experience for this marginalized group, to ultimately deliver life-changing care.

This Chair will be held by a dynamic clinician-researcher in the field of emergency addiction and mental health care. They will spearhead 
studies to identify, understand and remedy shortcomings in emergency care that are impacting the health of people with mental illness and addiction.

We cannot reach the $3 million required to endow this Chair without support from generous donors like you.

I hope you'll consider donating to this cause so close to my heart.  


WHY IS THIS CAUSE SO IMPORTANT TO ME?

I lost my 13-year-old brother to a 16-year-old drunk driver, but that life-changing event never stopped me from drinking and driving – often driving in a blackout having no idea what I had done.

I was 41, and even though I had a successful business of 18 years, I could not stop drinking. This would often start with vodka out of the freezer at 6 a.m., and I would sometimes be drunk twice in one day. I knew myself as someone with huge reserves of willpower, so it was hard to understand why I could not stop. I had an obsession and compulsion that always overpowered me. Underlying all this was bipolar disorder, which could not be diagnosed until I was sober.

I have been sober for over 30 years, thanks in large part to having received great care. Too many Canadians with mental illness and addictions are not receiving the type of emergency or post-ED follow up care they so desperately need, leading to prolonged illness and suffering.

Together, we can change the outcomes for your loved ones who may be suffering.

Help us enhance care for these patients at Mount Sinai and across the country by supporting the Chair in Emergency Medicine Addiction and Mental HealthWe cannot reach the $3 million required to endow this Chair without support from generous donors like you.

With gratitude,

Judy Wells

My Achievements

50% of Fundraising Target

Self Donated

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Reached Fundraising Goal

Thank you to my supporters

$50k

Anonymous

$1,000

Sp International Coltd

Love you Judy! Thank you for your kindness!

$333

Carl Nissen

Amazed

$265

Peter Szummer

$212

Roy H

$212

Dan Catto

We Bless Your Cause Judy…..

$212

Jeanette Boltyansky

$200

Raj & Andrew

If we all did a fraction of the service you do, the world would be a better place. Honoured to be on this journey with you. ❤️🙏🏽❤️

$200

Christina Kroner

$159

Scott O

$159

Keith German

$150

Kathleen Waters & Stan Rodriguez

$150

Cindy Weiner

Sorry to miss this year’s cruise. Best of luck with this great initiative!

$144

Evan H

$106

Rowena Reyes-king

Judy, you were an inspiration to me 35+ years ago when I worked at Andrea and to this day continue to inspire me with your strength and courage. xo

$106

Kathryn Dufty

$106

Marlene Finnegan

$106

James Durling

$106

Kimmé Myles

$106

Taina Suomela

You are an inspiration! Thank you for letting me be a part of it all.

$106

Barbara Cole

$106

Jill

Such a worthwhile goal. Thanks for continuing the work, Judy.

$106

Rachel Gosevitz

Love you so much Judy! You are AMAZING, just fabulous. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

$106

Andrew Webster

$106

Janice Lee Weisfeld

$106

Anonymous

$100

Ioana Battista

Judy you are a shinning light ✨️ of hope. Thank you for all that you do ❤️ Congratulations on 32 years !

$100

Nelson W

$100

Irma

Giving to a wonderful cause.

$100

Laura Cavanagh

You are amazing Judy. Thank you for your work and advocacy in support of this important cause!!!!

$100

Robin Glicksman

Congrats Judy!

$100

Mary Rodriguez

Inspiring initiative! Grateful to be able to contribute🤍

$63.60

Tony Landry

Hi Judy.. I tried to reach you out a few times but my brain. Is not always in place. You know. I was involved in a very serious catastrophic one.died 3x. 8 months hospital. Handicap now But very happy. I mean, I'll get somewhere yet. Money that I hope you. I don't remember exactly. I bet you was $600. It was a bank draft, so I'm sure you can retrieve it. Okay I pay you in full very soon baby. My sincere apology and yes, it would be nice to see Paul. One more time since my mom is on his way out. My dad already passed what I was at the hospital. Wakes me up, you know and you had a heart attack. So you know about that and I didn't know you had some bipolar than you. I kind of knew you know that's why I hang around with you you know

$53

Tony A

$53

Lisa And Andrew

Thank you Judy for all that you do

$53

Heather Babin

Thanks for this lovely opportunity Judy.