Kelowna philanthropist Tom Budd has donated $1 million to establish the Payton & Dillon Budd Brain Health Medical Fund at Kelowna General Hospital.

Image Credit: Kelowna General Hospital Foundation

A local father has donated $1 million to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation to honour his two late sons.

Tom Budd, a former Calgary investment banker, made the largest donation of his life to enhancing brain health care at Kelowna General Hospital. The gift established the Payton and Dillon Budd Brain Health Medical Fund in honour of Tom’s two late sons, according to a foundation media release issued today, Sept. 7. 

“My boys were deeply loved. This gift, and every philanthropic commitment I have made or will ever make, is an expression of my enduring love for them, and the compassion I feel for all others who have lost a child or loved one to mental health challenges or neurological brain disorder,” Budd said in a press release.

Both of Budd's young sons struggled with mental health problems. At just 13 years old, Dillon made the tragic decision to end his life in 2015. Just two years later, his brother Payton made the same heartbreaking decision.

Payton and Dillon Budd are seen with their father Tom Budd in this undated photo.

Image Credit: Kelowna General Hospital Foundation

“I am trying to live a life that my sons would be proud of,” Budd said. “It is time to take action.”

Budd’s mother’s experience with Parkinson’s disease and dementia also motivated him to direct the fund specifically towards brain health. 

“It is an area of health care that is vitally important,” said Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation, in the release. “Mental illness and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s and dementia are devastating to those who are suffering, and their families.”

The hospital launched the $40 million "Closer to home than you think" campaign in the spring. This campaign included a $5-million commitment to establish a Centre of Excellence for Brain Health.

“We are incredibly grateful for Tom’s leadership,” said Dr. Aleksander Tkach, Neurologist and Director of IH Stroke Services, in the release. “We have an opportunity to establish KGH as a hub for world-class research, innovation and most critically, a leader in the delivery of brain health care, close to home, for those who live in the southern interior of B.C.”

Budd's hope is his gift will inspire others to act and work together to make a real difference.

“Without hope, there is no path forward." 

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