The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at UBC shows an artistic impression of brain cells etched in the glass. Understanding of the brain is in its infancy as is the newly constructed building I visited with my husband who is dealing with a neurological condition that began over two years ago.
We were impressed with the nearly 135,00 square foot scope of the facility largely made possible by Mowafaghiana, a longtime philanthropist of humble beginnings who learned lessons in generosity early from his mother.
His desire to bring all the multidisciplinary areas of brain health under one large umbrella was triggered more recently after he suffered a stroke. This unfortunate health crisis turned out to be fortunate for those with various movement and other disorders seeking answers now and into the future.
How often have you heard about someone down and out who would give you the shirt off his back? Generosity is not exclusive to the rich but when there is little to lose perhaps it is easier to give than when wealth accumulates?
No so for 87-year-old Mowafaghiana who went from being bankrupt to gaining and giving away millions. He no doubt would agree with Albert Pike who said, "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
Of course giving is not only about dropping some loose change in a panhandler's cup or constructing big buildings. Sharing time, talents and non-monetary acts of goodness also have ripple effects.
Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle to view more BC scenes.
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