Home / Health / OCD Program 'Game-Changer' Leads to $10M Donation
OCD Program 'Game-Changer' Leads to $10M Donation
24 Feb
Summary
- A Toronto hospital program offers intensive OCD treatment.
- A lawyer's remission led to a significant $10 million donation.
- The center supports research, education, and treatment for OCD.
Brian Reeve, a lawyer and investor, found a "game-changer" in his recovery from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through an intensive treatment program at Toronto's Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre. After struggling with consuming rituals for years, Reeve underwent four months of daily therapy starting in 2019, leading to his remission three years later.
His successful recovery prompted a $10 million donation to the center, the country's first dedicated OCD facility. Established in 2012, the Thompson Centre estimates around 400,000 Canadians live with OCD, a complex disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can range from mild to profoundly disabling.
The center provides a broad spectrum of care, including consultations, tailored treatment options, and peer support. Reeve's significant contribution will fund the center's expansion to a permanent home at Sunnybrook's Bayview campus, enhance amenities, foster collaboration, and establish fellowships for future OCD specialists and researchers.
Reeve hopes his donation and story will inform others that effective OCD treatment is available. The Thompson Centre aims to assure individuals with OCD that they are not alone and that resources exist to help manage their condition without shame.
