"...we are contributing to the recovery process of individuals and families." - Peter & Jill Andruski "...we are contributing to the recovery process of individuals and families." - Peter & Jill Andruski

"SSO has given so much to me, I want to help in any way I can." - Eleanor Baker, RN "SSO has given so much to me, I want to help in any way I can." - Eleanor Baker, RN

"In telling my story, I hope that people will better understand schizophrenia." - Jesse Bigelow "In telling my story, I hope that people will better understand schizophrenia." - Jesse Bigelow

"People at SSO treat me with respect, and I really enjoy myself. They have helped me through the tough times of living with schizophrenia." - Michael Alzamora "People at SSO treat me with respect, and I really enjoy myself. They have helped me through the tough times of living with schizophrenia." - Michael Alzamora

"The Yoga-thon provides a forum for individuals who have family members with schizophrenia to talk about their concerns." - Yogi Tambiraja"The Yoga-thon provides a forum for individuals who have family members with schizophrenia to talk about their concerns." - Yogi Tambiraja

On November 6th, the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario celebrated its 30th anniversary and the 2009 Moving Lives Forward and Klara Boadway Memorial scholarship recipients at the 2009 Iris Ball: 30 Years Young. One hundred and fifty guests came together in the historic Great Hall of Hart House on the University of Toronto campus. Guests at the VIP reception mingled over hor d’oeuvres while listening to a jazz trio, then proceeded to the foyer of the Great Hall to bid on an array of fabulous silent auction items, and then enjoyed dinner and a live auction, all in support of SSO’s It’s My Dream scholarship program.

Jacqueline Hennessy, our evening emcee, welcomed guests, inviting them to indulge in some spectacular culinary delights and feast their ears on the The Starz Band featuring Juno award winner, Liberty Silver. The music enhanced an already elegant atmosphere as Liberty and the band serenaded our guests throughout dinner.

Amrbose Price, of the acclaimed series “The Decorating Adventures of Ambrose Price”, helped us introduce our Moving Lives Forward scholarships and launch our It’s My Dream scholarships. The 2009 Iris Ball marked the second year that the scholarship recipients were recognized for their achievements and it was truly the highlight of the night. Susan Baker, of Eli Lilly Canada presented the Moving Lives Forward scholarships that Eli Lilly has so generously supported, while Richard Boadway presented the Klara Boadway Memorial scholarship.

Les Brittan once again built up the excitement for our live auction, which culminated in SSO raising $7,000 for the It’s My Dream scholarships and made the grand total raised for the evening more than $50,000.

We would like to thank everyone who made the evening possible including our Silver Sponsors Pfizer Canada Inc. and AstraZeneca, our bronze Sponsors Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. and Janssen-Ortho Inc. and our Table Sponsors RBC Foundation, the Schizophrenia Program at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health and The Tom and Ruth Kritch Family Foundation.