Meet the man who just made the largest ever donation to KGH

Kelowna’s Tom Budd, a former Calgary investment banker, and prolific local philanthropist, has committed his largest donation ever to the KGH (Kelowna General Hospital) Foundation, a legacy gift in honour of his sons, Payton and Dillon Budd.

Both his young sons chose to end their lives.

In a media release, KGHF said the $1 million gift will establish the Payton & Dillon Budd Brain Health Medical Fund, an endowment specifically enabling advancements in Brain Health at Kelowna General Hospital now, and for generations to come.

The endowment is the culmination of Budd’s long-held desire to honour his sons’ legacy meaningfully and positively. Tragically, both Payton and Dillon struggled with mental health challenges. Dillon was 13 years old when he chose to end his life in 2015. Two years later, his brother Payton, chose to do the same. Every day since, Budd has suffered the immeasurable grief of losing them.

“In the aftermath of their deaths, I am really trying to live a life that my sons would be proud of,” Budd said regarding his transformational donation.

“I will never be free of the pain of losing them, there will always be a huge void in my life,” he said. “I must do this to stay alive. 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 suicide or neurological brain disorder.”

The decision to direct the fund specifically toward enabling advancements in brain health care at the clinical level was also motivated further by Tom’s mother’s experience with dementia.

For more details and the full video click here.