Hello friends!

Typically for my birthday all I ask is that my friends and embarass themselves deeply by singing for me. This year, as I enter a new decade, I've decided to host a fundraiser in support of UNICEF’s #GiveAVax Fund, which will be matched by the Government of Canada*, doubling your impact and saving more lives. This initiative is active from July 12th through to September 6th (the day after my 40th).

Right now, we are in a race against time to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to every corner of the globe.

More than 79% of Canadians have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – currently the highest rate in the world. More and more Canadians are receiving their second dose every day. But the situation remains critical for families and communities in low-income countries, where only 0.4% of vaccines have been administered. I've travelled in some of these countries, been welcomed in homes and at tables by amazing people who aren't able to access life saving vaccines due to global inequities too numerous to mention here. The fact remains: to end this pandemic, we must protect everyone – everywhere – from COVID-19. We all play a part and as we have been so privileged in this country, I'd like to pay it forward.

As the rise of new variants makes clear, this global emergency will not be over until we contain COVID-19 everywhere. It is only by ramping up vaccines delivery and rapidly getting doses into arms everywhere in the world that we can we get ahead of new and more infectious variants.

Please donate now to help us deliver these life-saving vaccines before more lives are lost. Every dollar raised will be matched* by the Government of Canada — so you can double the impact of your gift right now.

UNICEF is the global leader in vaccine delivery — and has been tasked with procuring and delivering 2 BILLION doses of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the year. With a presence in more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF is the organization best placed to deliver vaccines efficiently and equitably to reach those who are still waiting. But we can’t do it without your help.

Your donation will help UNICEF deliver COVID-19 vaccines to millions of people around the world who are still waiting for their first dose. Please donate today!

* The Government of Canada will match, dollar for dollar, every donation made by individual Canadians to UNICEF Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination fundraising campaign, up to a maximum of $10 million, from July 12, 2021 to September 6, 2021.