WE-Spark Health Institute is preparing for its annual “Cheers to Hope” event, Nov. 7 at the Ambassador Golf Club.

Open to the public, this event invites the Windsor-Essex community to interact with local health researchers and students, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about ongoing research efforts. Whether you’re familiar with the research or just curious, this is the perfect event to get involved in local health innovation.

The goal of the event is to raise $400,000 for research grants that support cutting-edge health projects across the region. Running from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Cheers to Hope will showcase the collaborative work among local and international institutions aimed at addressing key health challenges.

Since WE-Spark’s inception in 2020, the institute has awarded 105 grants totalling over $1.8 million. These grants fuel a wide range of health research projects and contribute to local innovation, creating jobs and positioning Windsor-Essex as a competitive player in national funding opportunities.

The institute’s interim director, Dora Cavallo-Medved, highlighted the growing recognition of these grants: “People are seeing the impact of the investment. These grants not only create jobs but address pressing issues and position Windsor-Essex as a competitor in national funding competitions.”

The grants program unites five key partners: the University of Windsor, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital.

Tickets for Cheers to Hope are $150 per person, with $100 going directly to the WE-Spark grants program. Tickets may be purchased at www.cheerstohope.ca.