Portraits of Giving: a photo series by Christopher Wahl
UHN Foundation teamed up with prominent Canadian portrait photographer Christopher Wahl to celebrate donors around our city who are helping Canada’s #1 hospital reimagine health care
The simple act of giving can be powerful. This portrait series puts the spotlight on a remarkable group of individuals who give to UHN. What unites them is their desire to give back, each with their own personal reason why.
My time spent with these nine individuals taught me that anyone can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. I hope you feel the love they chose to share. May they encourage us to think about how we may also contribute. Let’s all find ways to take care of each other. – CW
Earl Brown : Giving back to the place that helped him find a new purpose
Earl is a classically trained musician who earned his living performing. In 2008, he was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder, which severely impacted his ability to play music professionally. After receiving treatment at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute and Endocrinology Clinic, Earl went on to become a volunteer at the hospital, and eventually, in 2013, a UHN employee. Thankful for the care he received, Earl donates monthly through a staff giving program.
Earl Brown : Giving back to the place that helped him find a new purpose
Earl is a classically trained musician who earned his living performing. In 2008, he was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder, which severely impacted his ability to play music professionally. After receiving treatment at UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute and Endocrinology Clinic, Earl went on to become a volunteer at the hospital, and eventually, in 2013, a UHN employee. Thankful for the care he received, Earl donates monthly through a staff giving program.
You never forget your first love. The double bass was mine. We travelled the world together. She was my livelihood. When I got sick, everything changed for me. But I will be forever grateful to UHN for giving me my life back in more ways than one. Working at UHN is where I’m meant to be. And so I donate to give back to the place that has done so much for me.
Nureen : Giving back through her passion for yoga
Nureen spent 10 years of her career in health care. Despite shifting to a career as a corporate strategist in other sectors, she stays close to health care by supporting UHN. She is not only a donor: she also volunteers her time as Co-Chair of the UHN Impact Collective. As a talented yoga instructor, Nureen organizes an annual wellness retreat to support UHN Foundation. And as a mom of two young children, she is also working to instill giving principles into the next generation through organizing several kid-centric fundraisers.
Nureen : Giving back through her passion for yoga
Nureen spent 10 years of her career in health care. Despite shifting to a career as a corporate strategist in other sectors, she stays close to health care by supporting UHN. She is not only a donor: she also volunteers her time as Co-Chair of the UHN Impact Collective. As a talented yoga instructor, Nureen organizes an annual wellness retreat to support UHN Foundation. And as a mom of two young children, she is also working to instill giving principles into the next generation through organizing several kid-centric fundraisers.
Donating to UHN is very important to me because this is where change happens in health care. It’s important to know that you don’t have to donate with funds only. You have talents, you have time, you have your own gifts, and those are very valuable. And even if you don’t have millions of dollars, many of us coming together to make smaller contributions can make an impact. There is power in our collective numbers.
Teresa Luca : Giving back in memory of a loved one
Teresa’s husband was a longstanding patient at UHN. When he passed away in early 2024, Teresa and her family asked their loved ones to donate to the hospital instead of sending flowers. Immediately after the funeral, Teresa told her children she would also donate to UHN on behalf of the family. She is proud to have been able to give back, not only to honour her husband’s life, but to honour her extended and inherited UHN family for delivering compassionate care during a very difficult time.
Teresa Luca : Giving back in memory of a loved one
Teresa’s husband was a longstanding patient at UHN. When he passed away in early 2024, Teresa and her family asked their loved ones to donate to the hospital instead of sending flowers. Immediately after the funeral, Teresa told her children she would also donate to UHN on behalf of the family. She is proud to have been able to give back, not only to honour her husband’s life, but to honour her extended and inherited UHN family for delivering compassionate care during a very difficult time.
My family and I have been part of the UHN family for many, many years. My husband had great, great care there. Donating to me is very important because it means we are investing in our health care and improving the lives of everyone, including our loved ones. It doesn’t have to be lot. A little bit will do.
Oneg and Osher : Giving back by leading with kindness
Oneg and Osher are a sister and brother duo who are setting a new standard for what it means to be kind. The school-age content creators, who run a YouTube channel called 2B So Kind, have dedicated their young lives to acts of kindness in their community. One of those acts was selling chocolate bars in support of UHN to honour the care teams at UHN who cared for their late grandmother. They raised $500 and are currently working on their next project to support UHN, inspiring people of all ages along the way.
Oneg and Osher : Giving back by leading with kindness
Oneg and Osher are a sister and brother duo who are setting a new standard for what it means to be kind. The school-age content creators, who run a YouTube channel called 2B So Kind, have dedicated their young lives to acts of kindness in their community. One of those acts was selling chocolate bars in support of UHN to honour the care teams at UHN who cared for their late grandmother. They raised $500 and are currently working on their next project to support UHN, inspiring people of all ages along the way.
It’s important to give back and to help people because every act of kindness, even the tiniest one, can help a lot. And we’re just trying to inspire others with that kindness to people. Even though our grandmother died when we were very young, she taught us the importance of being kind. It was important for us to help UHN because they took such good care of her when she needed them.
John McGregor : Giving back monthly for long-term impact
John’s life began at UHN: he was born at Toronto General Hospital. Later on in life he would rely on the teams at Toronto Western, particularly in the osteoporosis and fracture clinics at UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute. A retired grocery store employee, John has given monthly since 2022, and believes that smaller donations over time are not only more manageable, but can make a more significant difference.
John McGregor : Giving back monthly for long-term impact
John’s life began at UHN: he was born at Toronto General Hospital. Later on in life he would rely on the teams at Toronto Western, particularly in the osteoporosis and fracture clinics at UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute. A retired grocery store employee, John has given monthly since 2022, and believes that smaller donations over time are not only more manageable, but can make a more significant difference.
By donating to UHN Foundation, I’m giving back for the care I have received throughout my life. Giving a monthly donation means steady funding for the hospital. When you multiply a smaller monthly amount by 12, it adds up at the end of the year. And if everybody does this, whether it’s $2 or $5 or $50 a month, it adds up to a big sum.
Arzein “Zane” Mirza : Giving back to say thanks for the gift of life
Zane has seen the world. As someone who lived with congestive heart failure for many years, he also frequented hospitals around the world. He holds the most gratitude for the care he received at UHN, where he received a mechanical heart at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre when his heart became too weak to work on its own, and eventually, a heart transplant at the Ajmera Transplant Centre, followed by rehabilitation at Toronto Rehab, where he learned how to navigate life post-transplant. He has donated to UHN multiple times in honour of the teams who care for him.
Arzein “Zane” Mirza : Giving back to say thanks for the gift of life
Zane has seen the world. As someone who lived with congestive heart failure for many years, he also frequented hospitals around the world. He holds the most gratitude for the care he received at UHN, where he received a mechanical heart at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre when his heart became too weak to work on its own, and eventually, a heart transplant at the Ajmera Transplant Centre, followed by rehabilitation at Toronto Rehab, where he learned how to navigate life post-transplant. He has donated to UHN multiple times in honour of the teams who care for him.
I live with joy every day because UHN gave me an opportunity to live again. I have been cared for by many top cardiologists around the world, but nothing compares to the care I have received here. I want people to know that this top-of-the-line health care exists at UHN. To have this calibre of health care, we all have to take part. I hope that others will join me in donating so other people can benefit from what’s available here.
Antoniette Catenacci : Giving back on the runway
Antoniette is a fashion designer who lived with severe back pain from a condition that caused her spinal canal to narrow. She tried all types of treatments and met with different doctors from around the city without success, until she was referred to UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute for surgery. Prior to her spine surgery, her pain was so bad that she almost lost the business she spent two decades building. But thanks to UHN, for the first time in years, she could move freely, sit comfortably and return to – and give back through – her passion.
Antoniette Catenacci : Giving back on the runway
Antoniette is a fashion designer who lived with severe back pain from a condition that caused her spinal canal to narrow. She tried all types of treatments and met with different doctors from around the city without success, until she was referred to UHN’s Schroeder Arthritis Institute for surgery. Prior to her spine surgery, her pain was so bad that she almost lost the business she spent two decades building. But thanks to UHN, for the first time in years, she could move freely, sit comfortably and return to – and give back through – her passion.
I do runway shows once a year. So I decided that I wanted to organize my next show to raise funds for UHN and for spinal research specifically, because it’s what helped me. All the ticket sales and any donations from clients were 100% donated back to the hospital. Because if it wasn’t for them, I would have lost my business. I would have lost everything. So everything that I have today, I owe it to them. I basically owe them my life.
Anellina “Nelly” Ventre : Giving back to create a lasting legacy of care
Nelly is a speech-language pathologist at UHN’s Toronto Rehab – Lyndhurst location, where she works with people living with spinal cord injuries. Throughout her career she has been inspired not only by her patients but her colleagues as well, and has supported their program in various ways. For a milestone birthday, she asked for donations in lieu of gifts. Most recently, she left a gift in her will to ensure that patients on their rehabilitation journey can continue to benefit from UHN’s life-changing care, long after she’s no longer there.
Anellina “Nelly” Ventre : Giving back to create a lasting legacy of care
Nelly is a speech-language pathologist at UHN’s Toronto Rehab – Lyndhurst location, where she works with people living with spinal cord injuries. Throughout her career she has been inspired not only by her patients but her colleagues as well, and has supported their program in various ways. For a milestone birthday, she asked for donations in lieu of gifts. Most recently, she left a gift in her will to ensure that patients on their rehabilitation journey can continue to benefit from UHN’s life-changing care, long after she’s no longer there.
It’s really important for me to give back to the place that’s been such a huge part of my life. I’ve given a lot of myself, but I’ve also gained so much from the inspirational patients that I’ve worked with, as well as my remarkable colleagues. I was attracted to leaving a gift in my will to UHN because it helps me feel like I’ll still be part of the team. I joked about how if my kids continue spending as they do, the gift I leave behind may only be $7! But I know firsthand that any gift amount, big or small, can make a difference.
Amar Gupta : Giving back to say thanks for saving his dad
In 2019, Amar’s father was diagnosed with kidney failure and was in need of a transplant. Amar’s uncle – his dad’s younger brother – was a match, and the transplant surgery was performed at UHN’s Ajmera Transplant Centre. Amar’s dad would eventually go on to receive care at Toronto Rehab to regain his strength after another illness. A father and entrepreneur, Amar gives back not only via personal donations, but by tapping into his networks to help raise additional funds for UHN as a member of the UHN Impact Collective.
Amar Gupta : Giving back to say thanks for saving his dad
In 2019, Amar’s father was diagnosed with kidney failure and was in need of a transplant. Amar’s uncle – his dad’s younger brother – was a match, and the transplant surgery was performed at UHN’s Ajmera Transplant Centre. Amar’s dad would eventually go on to receive care at Toronto Rehab to regain his strength after another illness. A father and entrepreneur, Amar gives back not only via personal donations, but by tapping into his networks to help raise additional funds for UHN as a member of the UHN Impact Collective.
Coming together as a community and seeing how all of our seemingly small initiatives can have a material impact on the hospital is really something that’s been exciting for me. As a son, witnessing the care that my father has received across UHN’s sites has been eye-opening. There’s so much happening behind the scenes at UHN to advance health care. Let’s all play our part, and be a part of this big change.
Thank you to all of our donors who are helping UHN reimagine health care. Do you have a story you’d like to share? We want to hear from you.
About Christopher Wahl
Christopher Wahl is a distinguished Canadian photographer known for his compelling and intimate portraits. With a career spanning over two decades, he has captured the essence of numerous prominent figures, including musicians, actors, athletes, political leaders, and everyday individuals, bringing out both vulnerability and strength in his subjects. His work has been featured in leading publications such as TIME, the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life and many more. Recognized for his keen eye and ability to tell stories through his lens, Wahl continues to inspire audiences and the photography world with images that transcend traditional portraiture.
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